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Help[Opinions] Barbara “Barbie”
How would you feel about / react to meeting a modern little girl named Barbara nn Barbie. Would you prefer the nn Babs?
This is purely for fun, Barbara has never been a personal favorite but it might grow on me…
This is purely for fun, Barbara has never been a personal favorite but it might grow on me…
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I've been thinking about the names Barbara, Barbie, and Babs on and off since the Barbie movie last summer. I don’t like Barbara—it just feels like a frumpy, old-fashioned name to me with no hurry to see it return. Barbara Bush can pull it off, but just barely.
Barbie, on the other hand, is kind of cute. I used to cringe whenever I met an older woman named Barbie because of the association with the doll. It felt strange to have a name so closely tied to a pop culture figure. However, when I was a teenager, I had a youth group leader named Barbie, who was in her 20s at the time and is now in her 30s. She was (and still is) a gorgeous brunette—not blonde—sweet, outgoing, and a great representation of what I think a girl named Barbie could be. She made the name seem more usable to me on a young girl.
That said, I think I prefer Bara to Barbara as the legal name. Bara has been on my mind since watching Game of Thrones, specifically after seeing Bobby B’s daughter by the prostitute Mhaegen. She was named Barra, possibly as a nod to being fathered by a Baratheon. Despite the tragic association, it's one of the names that stuck with me from the show since my first viewing. Bara feels like a more modern and usable alternative because of its short length and -ra ending, which fits with current trends seen in names like Kira, Kyra, Cara, Clara, and Flora etc.
Lately, I've also been keen on the name "Babs." One of my classmates calls her girlfriend "Babs" instead of "Babe," giving it a sweet, cutesy, and familiar vibe. I would consider using it as a term of endearment for a child regardless of their legal name, similar to how people use "Sweetie" or "Honey." I like it, and it's been on my mind lately. In fact, I've been working on a short story featuring a character named Babs as a result of this fondness.
Barbie, on the other hand, is kind of cute. I used to cringe whenever I met an older woman named Barbie because of the association with the doll. It felt strange to have a name so closely tied to a pop culture figure. However, when I was a teenager, I had a youth group leader named Barbie, who was in her 20s at the time and is now in her 30s. She was (and still is) a gorgeous brunette—not blonde—sweet, outgoing, and a great representation of what I think a girl named Barbie could be. She made the name seem more usable to me on a young girl.
That said, I think I prefer Bara to Barbara as the legal name. Bara has been on my mind since watching Game of Thrones, specifically after seeing Bobby B’s daughter by the prostitute Mhaegen. She was named Barra, possibly as a nod to being fathered by a Baratheon. Despite the tragic association, it's one of the names that stuck with me from the show since my first viewing. Bara feels like a more modern and usable alternative because of its short length and -ra ending, which fits with current trends seen in names like Kira, Kyra, Cara, Clara, and Flora etc.
Lately, I've also been keen on the name "Babs." One of my classmates calls her girlfriend "Babs" instead of "Babe," giving it a sweet, cutesy, and familiar vibe. I would consider using it as a term of endearment for a child regardless of their legal name, similar to how people use "Sweetie" or "Honey." I like it, and it's been on my mind lately. In fact, I've been working on a short story featuring a character named Babs as a result of this fondness.
I've never thought Barbara was nice. I think it's the arb sound that rubs me the wrong way. Two B's don't help.
I would perceive Barbie on a child about the same way I perceive Debbie or Marge on a child - it doesn't seem actually cool, but sort of deliberately "old" and clunky, trying to get to cool by way of that.
I don't mind nickname Bara, or Bari (which I think is also a Hebrew name). I think Bobbie would work as a nick for Barbara.
Babs would be awful.
I would perceive Barbie on a child about the same way I perceive Debbie or Marge on a child - it doesn't seem actually cool, but sort of deliberately "old" and clunky, trying to get to cool by way of that.
I don't mind nickname Bara, or Bari (which I think is also a Hebrew name). I think Bobbie would work as a nick for Barbara.
Babs would be awful.
This message was edited 8/31/2024, 10:08 AM
I feel like Barbara needs more time before it comes back. It reminds me of old television shows, because there were a lot of actresses named Barbara.
I would be relieved Barbie is a nickname. I prefer Babs as a nickname.
I wouldn't use Barbara as a name for child now.
I would be relieved Barbie is a nickname. I prefer Babs as a nickname.
I wouldn't use Barbara as a name for child now.
I've always liked Barbara; when I mentioned this to my daughter, she collapsed in giggles. Barbie is too associated with the eponymous doll. (When Daughter was 4, she asked for a Barbie doll like all the other girls at preschool. We obliged. She took it to school as a sort of proof that she was like everyone else, then cut its hair off, then decided that enough was enough and gave it to our spaniel, who chewed it enthusiastically until not much was left at all.)
Nns for Barbara: I've known Bah, Bibi and Babs people, and I do prefer Babs, but I'd like to meet an actual Barbara person. I did know one, but her nn was a form of her surname; Barbara was just for filling in on forms.
Nns for Barbara: I've known Bah, Bibi and Babs people, and I do prefer Babs, but I'd like to meet an actual Barbara person. I did know one, but her nn was a form of her surname; Barbara was just for filling in on forms.
I love Barbara! It's a very prudent name that doesn't lack glamor. Bara and Babe are my preferred nicknames, though Barbie is cute.
Don't really like it, and hate babs
I honestly think it's super cute and could be pulled off by the right person.