New Post
Search
Help[Opinions] Barbara
I've never really liked the name Barbara because it is such a dated name, but recently I've kind of been into it. I'm wondering what you all think of it. Is it still dated or is it time for a resurgence? What would you pair Barbara with, if anything at all (both as a first or middle name)?
“Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”
― Neil Gaiman
― Neil Gaiman
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
I think it's still a bit dated but it's not awful. It might be refreshing to meet a little Barbara. I'd avoid pairing it with anything like Alice, Jean, Lynn(e), or Ann(e).
Barbara Caroline
Barbara Fiona
Barbara Jewel
Barbara Heidi
Barbara Caroline
Barbara Fiona
Barbara Jewel
Barbara Heidi
1
I love the plucky, earthy abrasiveness of Barbara, and I'm fascinated by its ubiquity.
Barbara Eugenie
Barbara Lucile
Barbara Celine
Barbara Chloe
Barbara Eve
Barbara Iris
Barbara Inez (Inez Barbara!)
Barbara Vivien
Barbara Lilian
Barbara Lydie
Barbara Sylvie
Barbara Winifred
Barbara Cleo / Clio
Barbara Fern (Fern Barbara!)
Barbara Violette
Barbara Lucienne
Barbara Lucie
Barbara Mathilde
Barbara Xanthe
Barbara Colette (Colette Barbara!)
Barbara Ninette (Ninette Barbara!)
Barbara Ninon (Ninon Barbara!)
Barbara Opal
Barbara Maud
Barbara Celestine
Barbara Laudine (I just discovered this name, and I'm completely enchanted by it.)
Barbara Lunette
Barbara Eugenie
Barbara Lucile
Barbara Celine
Barbara Chloe
Barbara Eve
Barbara Iris
Barbara Inez (Inez Barbara!)
Barbara Vivien
Barbara Lilian
Barbara Lydie
Barbara Sylvie
Barbara Winifred
Barbara Cleo / Clio
Barbara Fern (Fern Barbara!)
Barbara Violette
Barbara Lucienne
Barbara Lucie
Barbara Mathilde
Barbara Xanthe
Barbara Colette (Colette Barbara!)
Barbara Ninette (Ninette Barbara!)
Barbara Ninon (Ninon Barbara!)
Barbara Opal
Barbara Maud
Barbara Celestine
Barbara Laudine (I just discovered this name, and I'm completely enchanted by it.)
Barbara Lunette
1
Barba means "beard" in Latin, so despite the dated/preppy/doll association of Barbie, I've always perceived Barbara to be burly in an oddly appealing way...and added with the sharpness of barb...I think "plucky, earthy abrasiveness" is a good description.
Of your combos, I liked:
Barbara Inez
Barbara Vivien
Barbara Mathilde
Barbara Cleo
Barbara Fern
Barbara Maud (I love Maud!)
Or reversed:
Inez Barbara
Fern Barbara
Iris Barbara
Vivien Barbara
Mathilde Barbara
Cleo Barbara
Of your combos, I liked:
Barbara Inez
Barbara Vivien
Barbara Mathilde
Barbara Cleo
Barbara Fern
Barbara Maud (I love Maud!)
Or reversed:
Inez Barbara
Fern Barbara
Iris Barbara
Vivien Barbara
Mathilde Barbara
Cleo Barbara
1
No, I've never liked the name,still don't.
1
I secretly like Barbara. I couldn't ever use it because it's the name of a persona non grata in the family, but still. It's proud and stoic, yet has a polished elegance, and I think it has potential to rise up a la Eleanor, Audrey, Vivian. It's still dated, but dated names are getting cool again! I like that hipsters are picking dorky dated names before they are "ready" to be resurrected. That's what gives them the magic quirk.
I would say Barbara needs to be out front, except my go-to Barb combo is Ruby Barbara. Maybe Ruby Barbara as a double name! Ruby-Barbara! Wow I like that. I made that combo after looking at fish in a pet store. There's a type of fish called a Ruby Barb and I was like wow, that's a cute name for a fish or a person.
I also love the meaning.
More combos!
Barbara Wilhelmine
Barbara Isabel
Barbara Genevieve
Barbara Greta
Barbara Margo
Barbara Gwendolyn
Barbara Juliet
Barbara Alice
Barbara Helene
Barbara Cecile
Barbara Mirabel
Barbara Millicent, Millicent Barbara
Barbara Phoebe
Zoe Barbara, Barbara Zoe
I would say Barbara needs to be out front, except my go-to Barb combo is Ruby Barbara. Maybe Ruby Barbara as a double name! Ruby-Barbara! Wow I like that. I made that combo after looking at fish in a pet store. There's a type of fish called a Ruby Barb and I was like wow, that's a cute name for a fish or a person.
I also love the meaning.
More combos!
Barbara Wilhelmine
Barbara Isabel
Barbara Genevieve
Barbara Greta
Barbara Margo
Barbara Gwendolyn
Barbara Juliet
Barbara Alice
Barbara Helene
Barbara Cecile
Barbara Mirabel
Barbara Millicent, Millicent Barbara
Barbara Phoebe
Zoe Barbara, Barbara Zoe
This message was edited 9/20/2015, 6:42 PM
1
Ruby Barbara would be rad.
:)
:)
1
oh - Barbra "K" ... Sorry, I should have mentioned this previously; sometimes I am taken away by a theme.
I like to consider my first name as "who I am", while my middle name is "what I am"...
I like to consider my first name as "who I am", while my middle name is "what I am"...
1
Could you maybe elaborate on that? What do you mean.
1
More that I "go by" my first name, through its far-from-subtle sound - yet actually the definition of the name 'Barbara' might seem to be a quiddity of my persona, save feminine associations or connotations, either of which I lack. However, the meaning of my middle name is like an integral & inseparable attribute, like a foundation of what I am - and further, of everything I do.
This message was edited 9/20/2015, 11:23 PM
1
I know what you mean, it's kind of power babe-ish. First wave feministy. I really like the meaning.
Hmm. I go through phases where I kind of like it. I wonder if I'd ever like it enough to want to use it.
Barbara... Jane.
Barbara Quinn
Barbara Violet ?
Barbara Hana
Barbara Xenia
Barbara Nova
Barbara Stella
I dunno lol
Hmm. I go through phases where I kind of like it. I wonder if I'd ever like it enough to want to use it.
Barbara... Jane.
Barbara Quinn
Barbara Violet ?
Barbara Hana
Barbara Xenia
Barbara Nova
Barbara Stella
I dunno lol
1
I honestly really don't like it.
Barbara is one of those dated types of names. It's a perfect example of a name that just doesn't suite all ages. And I'm really surprised that the name is still within the top 1000. The name sounds dated even for like a 30Something year old. And not only that, the name just isn't attractive at all. There are other classic or even dated name that power over it IMO.
Even the nicknames of Barb & Barbie I dislike. I really shouldn't have to explain why.
Of course this is all just my opinion.
Barbara is one of those dated types of names. It's a perfect example of a name that just doesn't suite all ages. And I'm really surprised that the name is still within the top 1000. The name sounds dated even for like a 30Something year old. And not only that, the name just isn't attractive at all. There are other classic or even dated name that power over it IMO.
Even the nicknames of Barb & Barbie I dislike. I really shouldn't have to explain why.
Of course this is all just my opinion.
1
Yes - it is usually a love-it or hate-it name, or perhaps the Ugly Betty of names.
While I try not to give popularity merit, it is significant to a variable degree - a degree which varies among different people at different moments. However, there are many people with the name of Barbara - as there have been for hundreds--perhaps even thousands of years, yet it is has declined with what seems to be the popularity of the Barbie Doll; which if true, the recent popularity decline bears as much significance as that of a rising and passing fad. Yet despite my efforts to belittle the value of popularity, even I care about it. I am more the type to value Heritage through extended periods of time, rather than the immediate or current trend, which I would ascertain magnanimously.
Book'em Danno - may I please ask what IMO is?
Thanks
While I try not to give popularity merit, it is significant to a variable degree - a degree which varies among different people at different moments. However, there are many people with the name of Barbara - as there have been for hundreds--perhaps even thousands of years, yet it is has declined with what seems to be the popularity of the Barbie Doll; which if true, the recent popularity decline bears as much significance as that of a rising and passing fad. Yet despite my efforts to belittle the value of popularity, even I care about it. I am more the type to value Heritage through extended periods of time, rather than the immediate or current trend, which I would ascertain magnanimously.
Book'em Danno - may I please ask what IMO is?
Thanks
This message was edited 9/20/2015, 3:11 PM
1
IMO = in my opinion.
1
Thank You
1
Currently, few babies receive this name in the US, yet there are plenty of people by the name of Barbara alive today; I believe that it is extremely popular in Eastern Europe - perhaps in South America as well. In the US, it is not an easy name to like. When young, I hated coffee & I hated the operatic voice, but as an adult - I love both, more by richness, which, when young I found myself unable to appreciate.
I've read a few public comments by people by the name of Barbara which state that "it is a name you have to own": this and a few other previous circumstances helped me to absolutely cherish my unique name. The various nick-names & pet-names are wonderful when personalized to the preference of the name bearer.
For a child in the US - the name will be distinct, both by the strength & sound of the name and by the infrequent use; this distinction will honor the child when (s)/he grows to be a distinguished adult.
I've read a few public comments by people by the name of Barbara which state that "it is a name you have to own": this and a few other previous circumstances helped me to absolutely cherish my unique name. The various nick-names & pet-names are wonderful when personalized to the preference of the name bearer.
For a child in the US - the name will be distinct, both by the strength & sound of the name and by the infrequent use; this distinction will honor the child when (s)/he grows to be a distinguished adult.
This message was edited 9/20/2015, 11:04 AM
1
I'm aware of the datedness, but I always think of the twins in the Mary Poppins stories - John and Barbara. So it gives me golden-haired tiny moppet vibes, a world away from old-ladiness.
I think it flat-lined so completely after about the 1950s that it could easily seem new. Unlike Linda and Patricia! And Babs or Bibi could be cute nns.
It needs a punchy mn. Not Barbara-Ann in spite of the Beach Boys, but Barbara Jean, Barbara Jill, Barbara Joy? Barbara Katharine is elegant. Barbara Clare.
I think it flat-lined so completely after about the 1950s that it could easily seem new. Unlike Linda and Patricia! And Babs or Bibi could be cute nns.
It needs a punchy mn. Not Barbara-Ann in spite of the Beach Boys, but Barbara Jean, Barbara Jill, Barbara Joy? Barbara Katharine is elegant. Barbara Clare.
1