Comments
Meaning
Usage
Pronunciation
Famous
Impression
Other
This name definitely doesn't sound intelligent because of all its pop culture namesakes. It even sounds comical, especially when said in a voice like Barney the Dinosaur.
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Just hideous.
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Legendary name.
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I am not fond of this name. I'm not familiar with the '90s American programme, so that has no bearing on my opinion. I suppose if one liked the programme, using this name could be nostalgic and bring up pleasant associations.
To me, Barney sounds like a man who is rather slow, bumbling, clumsy, foolish, and often the butt of a jokes. It certainly carries a comedic feel. Perhaps this is due to the rhyme with "carney" and the word "barn" contained within it. On a young boy, it might be cute, but does not seem appropriate for an adult man. I do like the related names Barnabas and Barnaby, which offer much more dignity and gravitas to the bearer. Naming your son Barnaby and calling him Barney when he is young could work. The nickname Barry might also work with this name. I do think a man with the name Barney will be perceived as friendly and down-to-earth, the sort who won't take himself too seriously. It's not a terrible name, just not to my taste.
3
To me, Barney sounds like a man who is rather slow, bumbling, clumsy, foolish, and often the butt of a jokes. It certainly carries a comedic feel. Perhaps this is due to the rhyme with "carney" and the word "barn" contained within it. On a young boy, it might be cute, but does not seem appropriate for an adult man. I do like the related names Barnabas and Barnaby, which offer much more dignity and gravitas to the bearer. Naming your son Barnaby and calling him Barney when he is young could work. The nickname Barry might also work with this name. I do think a man with the name Barney will be perceived as friendly and down-to-earth, the sort who won't take himself too seriously. It's not a terrible name, just not to my taste.
3
Awful! Barn is the only nickname, and it's a word, and the nickname is kinda ugly, and the dinosaur...
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Ugly.
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I love Barney! I think it's so so so cute!
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Barney Fife, the sexy star of the Andy Griffith Show. Woof ♥. On the show, Barney was short for Bernard.
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THE EPIC DINO!
But seriously, please don't use this name. Your child will likely be made fun of, and there are no nicknames that I can think of for "Barney".
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But seriously, please don't use this name. Your child will likely be made fun of, and there are no nicknames that I can think of for "Barney".
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Barney Fife from The Andy Griffith Show.
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Barney the dinosaur. Best use of the name.
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Only someone who hated their child would name them this.
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Barney Calhoun is a character from the Half-Life video game series.
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Awful. Don’t name your kid this unless you want them to be teased.
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The original Aramaic form is unattested, but it may be from בּר נביא (bar naviya') meaning "son of the prophet", though in Acts 4:36 it is claimed that the name means "son of encouragement". As an English name, it came into occasional use after the 12th century.
My maiden name is Barney, and I’m female. I chose the positive meaning of this name - One who Encourages. It is a name of honor, not to be ashamed of. Our modern TV and movies have used this name for comedic characters, I live to make others laugh... this is a form of Encouragement which we all need in these days.
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My maiden name is Barney, and I’m female. I chose the positive meaning of this name - One who Encourages. It is a name of honor, not to be ashamed of. Our modern TV and movies have used this name for comedic characters, I live to make others laugh... this is a form of Encouragement which we all need in these days.
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I hate this name. It reminds me of that crass pig on How I Met Your Mother.
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Ridiculously old fashioned, has horrible namesakes and is plain awful.
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Barney Barton is a character from Marvel Comics. He is the older brother of Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye.
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In 2018, 57 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Barney* who is registered male with the Social Security Administration. It is the 2, 206th most common male first name for living U.S. citizens.
*as a first name, not a nickname.
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*as a first name, not a nickname.
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It’s not the worst name for a child ever! It’s okay to give to a boy or a girl. On the other hand, with the children’s show on PBS Kids®️ Barney™️, people aren’t going to get the right idea. But if you think it’s cute, then that’s you! I personally would name my son or daughter this though, because he/she might be teased for barring the same name as that caring purple dinosaur. Cute name though!
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You have got to be kidding me.
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No way!
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Another famous BEARer of this name (see what I did there?) is Barney Bear, a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon character.
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Barney is an AWFUL name for a person. Who wants to share their name with an obnoxious dinosaur? It would be a cute name for a pet though.
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Personally, I can't stand this name. Mainly because nowadays people associate the name with the big purple dinosaur. My real name is Barnabas, and I will tell you that some people have teased me even from elementary through highschool by calling me Barney. For now, I just go by my full name.
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Many people would think of Barney the purple dinosaur, and poor Barney would be teased :-(
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I can't stand the name Barney! To me it's just plain ugly and reminds me of a dim-witted, fat man. Sorry to all Barneys out there!
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You'd definitely have a hard time using this name. It's forever tied to negative pop culture associations, like Barney from the Simpsons, Barney Rubble, Barney Stinson, and especially Barney the Dinosaur. Please save your kid some pain and choose something else!
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Barney is a creepy kids tv show, don't use that name!
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I HATE this name, I think that it is like really weird so I would never use it.
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Not too bad. Not too good.
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I picture a lighthearted, easygoing kinda guy with this name. :)
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Barney Stinson is character on the sitcom 'How I met Your Mother'. The character is portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris.
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I hate this name. I always think of that evil dinosaur.
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In the Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper, one of the three main characters from the first book, Under Sea and Over Stone, is Barney, he is the brother of Jane and Simon.
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I can pretty much hear the burping sounds of Barney Gumble in my head when seeing or hearing the name. It also reminds me of barns, and it sounds quite little-boy-like.
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You know what comes to mind when I hear this? A cheap-skate attempt at educational television, or a nightmare come back from the 90's to haunt me. That's what comes to MY mind.
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Barney is the security guard from Half-Life.
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The name itself brings to my mind a good-natured, optimistic ally who can be counted on in times of darkness.
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Although Barney does appear quite comical to me because of his aquaintance with a certain large purple dinosaur, (who is UTTERLY obnoxious and in NO WAY educational), I don't think we should judge this name by its bearers.
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I find this to be a young and sporty name.
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Barney is a good name for a dog or a teddy bear. It doesn't seem right as a human name though.
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Barney Gumble is a character on The Simpsons and a regular at Moe's Tavern.
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Barney & Friends is a popular children's television show produced in the United States, mainly aimed at preschoolers. Barney is a purple anthropomorphic Tyrannosaurus rex who conveys learning through jumping around singing childrens' songs with a friendly, optimistic attitude ("I love you, you love me, we`re a happy family, with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you, won`t you say you love me too!").
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There's an old TV show called "Barney Miller" but I can't remember what exactly he did, maybe a detective? OR am I confusing him with Barnaby Jones?
Also, US Representative Barney Frank, from Massachusetts, was for a very long time the only openly gay US congressman. He is still very popular and well-liked, although he hasn't entirely escaped from scandal. Some years ago, it was revealed he had hired an "assistant" who was actually a male prostitute and that this assistant was using Frank's apartment and phone to do "business."
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Also, US Representative Barney Frank, from Massachusetts, was for a very long time the only openly gay US congressman. He is still very popular and well-liked, although he hasn't entirely escaped from scandal. Some years ago, it was revealed he had hired an "assistant" who was actually a male prostitute and that this assistant was using Frank's apartment and phone to do "business."
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One can't forget Barney Fife from the Andy Griffith show! He is sooooo funny!
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Now that Barney conjures up the name of a big, dimwitted, uneducational, obnoxious dinosaur, I avoid this name. I cannot stand the beast!
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Barney is Fred Flinstone's best friend and also the big, purple dinosaur that kids love.
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Comments are left by users of this website. They are not checked for accuracy.
The Key to English Place Names gives the etymology of Barney as: "Uncertain. '*Bera's island', 'barn island' or perhaps, 'barley island'."
Source: http://kepn.nottingham.ac.uk/map/place/Norfolk/Barney