A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Barnaby since 1953
Babies named Barnaby per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 25 |
| 1960s | 48 |
| 1970s | 123 |
| 1980s | 74 |
| 1990s | 16 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 55 |
| 2020s | 34 |
Meaning & origin
Barnaby, the English form of Barnabas, has been in occasional use in the United States since at least 1953. While never common, it reached its peak popularity in 1974 and has been on a steady rise since 2008. Today, about 1 in 341,615 newborns receive the name, making it a rare but distinctive choice. The name carries a gentle, scholarly air, perhaps due to its association with the New Testament figure and its soft, three-syllable sound. Parents drawn to vintage revivals may find Barnaby appealing, especially as it shares DNA with trending names like Jasper and Felix. Its top states in recent years have been scattered, suggesting no regional stronghold.
Barnaby is the English form of the Aramaic name Bar-Nabba, meaning 'son of consolation' or 'son of exhortation'. In the New Testament, Barnabas was a Levite who became a companion of the Apostle Paul. The name was used in medieval England, often in the form Barnaby, and has seen periodic revival.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Barney, Barn, Baz
Variants: Barnabas, Barnabie
Sibling names for Barnaby
Names that share Barnaby's style, for a brother or sister.
