Holding steady.
Popularity of Barnet since 1898
Babies named Barnet per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Barnet's real moment was 1898.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 86 |
| 1920s | 26 |
| 1930s | 18 |
| 1940s | 56 |
| 1950s | 30 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Barnet is a rare English given name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1898, though it has never reached widespread popularity. The name is a short form of Barnaby, which itself derives from the Aramaic bar nēbu'ā, meaning 'son of consolation.' Historically, Barnet was more common as a surname, often linked to place names like the London borough. As a first name, it saw its peak usage in its debut year of 1898, but has remained exceedingly uncommon since, with no recorded births in recent decades. Today, Barnet is exceptionally rare, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking an old-fashioned name with religious and historical roots.
Barnet originated as a medieval pet form of Barnaby, which itself comes from the Aramaic bar nēbu'ā meaning 'son of consolation' or 'son of prophecy.' The name was used in England from the Middle Ages, often as a surname derived from place names such as Barnet in London. As a given name, it saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States, though it has since become rare.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Barnett
Sibling names for Barnet
Names that share Barnet's style, for a brother or sister.
