Barbara

[user2468101214]

Due little girl April 2024

Always had a soft spot for the name.

I understand it's following the 'old granny' comeback trend.

(I may be thinking too deeply but can see this name becoming more popular soon due to new Barbie film)

Thoughts please? TIA

Even if you like the name, I don’t think a teenage Barbara would thank you for the name. It’s not exactly on the Mabel, Edith level yet.

I teach a teenage Bonnie who loathes her name. It can happen even if you think you're on trend!

Barbara is a nice name. When I was younger I hated it but I now like it and think its refreshing.

I don't like Barbara. Much prefer the other option Beatrix.

I still maintain that most of the people saying that they like the name actually like the person who they knew called Barbara rather than the name itself.

I remember saying to my DH that I couldn't name any girl we had 'Emma' as there were too many bitches at school called that so I have negative associations with that name.

I disagree. I personally don't know one Barbara now (I have met some over the years but not closely enough to draw associations).

Mid century names are on their way in and will become a lot more popular. Very few 80s babies would have been called Edith, Elsie or Mabel (at least not in UK culture).

Many will either just like the name or are picking up.on the start of a trend. I met a German, a Hungarian and briefly a Spanish Barbara so it is a lot more timeless elsewhere.

I would be very surprised if any teenager called Barbara, Linda, Irene, Joyce, Sue, Janet etc would like their name. Of all the names you could pick. And I don’t mean to sound rude.

A teenager isn't picking their own name though. If asked, many girls called Izzy, Lily, Millie, Mollie and Daisy would not be happy either.

It’s all a matter of perspective.

As a 60s baby with a friend called Barbara I cannot hear the names Mabel, Olive, or Elsie without associating them with my grandmother’s peers. To my ear they are ugly names.

However, I recall thinking similarly when Lily, Grace, Molly etc. made a comeback and now those names seem eminently suitable for their owners, and I quite like them. So, I expect to quite like Olive eventually.

Barbara sounds far, far better in other languages than it does in English:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hzOSQJ5cRK4

Not for me, and I think the timing isn't right with the popularity of the Barbie movie. I do like Sally, Marilyn and Pamela though.

My MIL's name. I am indifferent to it as a name but I have to say she hates it.

I think the Barbie film will have an impact and it will (gradually) climb the charts.

My name is Barbara and I have always loved my name, even when I was little. I’ve been shocked to hear that others don’t like it. It’s strong and melodic to my ears. Unfortunately there are many ways to abuse it and I’m not fond of any of the nicknames. That said, my father called me Barbie, and when he said it I loved it. I knew he thought I was a superstar so he had special name privileges. If anyone else calls me that I correct them. My sister calls me Barb and it’s like her code word for me so I’m good with it. I can hear that she’s saying the rest of my name in her mind. She knows I’m a very proud Barbara. When I was little my Grandma called me “baby Barbara” in the most beautiful Irish brogue. I can still hear her low lilt as she said my name and it makes me glow. Our neighbor was from Boston and he couldn’t pronounce the first “r” so he called me Bahhbra. Absolutely the worst version of my name ever! My Czech friends call me Vavarra which is Russian because they think I’m glamorous! “Barbara” asks you to be feminine, and strong and confident. All the Barbara’s I know have a special relationship with their name.

I say if you like it, then you are in the special club that gets the power of “Barbara”. Your little girl is probably already a Barbara of notable elegance, joy and grace. Give her the name she’s asking for.

To me Beatrix is a cat’s name. Barbara is for girls and women. It is strength and beauty in a tiny package and in an adult woman. It’s a good sign for women that this name is coming back.

I know of 3 Barbaras, all 60ish. 2 go by Barb.

It’s one of those names that I really can’t imagine on a baby or young girl, but that doesn’t mean I dislike it. It’s just that it would be unusual. A bit like a baby Kevin, or Colin, or Nigel. Or Pauline.

Lovely post. It does sound nice pronounced the Irish way - the only thing is that a lot of British accents would pronounce it like your neighbour from Boston. Depending on where the OP is.

So true

Absolutely not

My 2.5 year old is called Barbara. I absolutely hated it when my partner first suggested it (we already have an Eliza and a Margot). I know it’s a real ‘marmite’ name and people will either love it or hate it but I was shocked at how many people quite blatantly and rudely said how much they disliked the name to my face. It grew on me and we stuck with it and obviously couldn’t imagine her being called anything else! I sometimes call her Barb for short (I like that from Stranger Things) but it’s a really playful name and we end up calling her all sorts like her sisters will call her Brabras! I think Bebe is quite a nice nickname for Barbara too, it just doesn’t suit our Barb. Everyone said she will end up getting called Barbie but that’s yet to happen. Hope you find your perfect name and remember there will always be people that don’t like whatever name you choose that doesn’t mean it isn’t a nice name ☺️

I really like Barbara, @mygirlsandme87 .

Really, would you like to be called Barbara?

Seeing on the gorgeous actress playing Barbie at the end of the film, when she introduced herself as Barbara, did give the name quite a different feel, somehow!

That said, not sure it's quite ready for a revival....

I confidently expect my grandchildren to be called Janet, Barbara, Ian, Malcolm and Lina.

Um, well, yes, actually. I am called Barbara. That’s my name and I love it a lot. :) A beautiful sound full of rounded As and soft Rs, bounded by strong Bs. I don’t think there is a more beautiful name for a girl.

I know. I loved when Margo Robbie said, “Barbara”, “Barbara Hansen”. So beautiful and strong. Hearing her say it made my heart hum.

It's my DMs name (in her 70s) and I would have loved to name my dd after her or give as a middle name but with the name Barbara I just couldn't!

I don't think it's time has come, probably not for another 20 years if ever. The nicknames of it aren't really cute or nice either, in my opinion. Barb for a baby?