Could Barbara work as an honour name?

[SDtome]

Thoughts on Barbara? Could it work? There's an amazing woman in my life that I really admire named Barbara (goes by Barb), and I'd love to honour her. DH is supportive of the idea. The only potential problem that I can see is that the Barb in my life was born in the 1970s, so the name would have been much more common during that time. I do wonder if bullying should be a concern because it's not a very fashionable name at the moment (and probably won't be for at least a decade or longer). I worry that our daughter might not be able to pull it off and will hate her name.

It's a great way to honour someone important and it's a simple and nice name.
My only issue is I think of it in the voice of Jim Royale!

I’m surprised to see so many stating that it’s bizarre to name your child after someone. I have a feeling that it’s only being objected to because people dislike the name that’s being considered (Barbara). It’s an incredibly common tradition to use family names as the middle name. I’m not sure why the first name would be any different. I honestly wish that my name had some special significance to one or both of my parents instead of just being a random name that they picked from a baby book simply because they could not agree on any other name. Some people don’t care why their name was chosen, but not everyone feels that way.

There is a Victoria’s Secret supermodel called Barbara Palvin.

Barbara is a gorgeous name imo.

I'd definitely use it.

I know babies/ small children named Susan, Joan, Carole, Malcolm, Glenn, and Dean, so I think names of the 60s and 70s are on the cutting edge - the new wave of granny chic.

Me too, you get to be sarcastic twice in a row now which I’m sure makes your day twice as successful.

I knew three Bairbres in school in Ireland (late 60s to early 80s). Bairbre is pronounced pretty much the same as Barbara.

I know Barbaras of all ages and from all ethnic backgrounds.

Using a name to honor someone you admire or a relative is perfectly normal and acceptable.

Not a fan I must admit. Use Barbara if you love it OP, regardless of what anyone else thinks, but if it's just to honour a friend then isn't that what middle names are for?

Don’t saddle your daughter with this name.

I think it's really cute. I think names from that generation will soon be fashionable again.

I’m trying to like it, but am afraid I see it in the same light as Brenda. Sorry. Middle name at a push.

Well I guess people aren’t living in a very diverse area. I’ve met two women called Barbara in the last couple of years and they’re both Brazilian. ( and young ). So not as unusual as people might think.

Cruel? Don't be so ridiculous.

To echo what PPs have said:

1. all the Barbaras I know (from all generations from Greatest to Z) are lovely people.
2. it's an international name, I know people from different countries with the name.

It's a lovely name, go for it.

Barbara makes a better middle name to me.

The full name is strong and resonant. The nick names that follow a first name are not as lovely. Barbie, Barbarella, Barb
Barbara is a similar vibe to Deborah and Pamela. All nice.

I think you should name your child Barbara if that's what you want. Some will love it others will not! You can't please everyone so please yourself! My grannie was Barbara. I don't think she liked her name. I think it's dated but maybe it's due a comeback. Also how lovely for your friend!

It’s a horrible name. (IMO) (However wonderful the woman in your life)
And children are not benches to be named in honour of other people.
Wonderful people inspire by their actions and values.
My Mum was given an unattractive name ‘in honour’ of a relative. She hated the name, she hated that she had been saddled with it to satisfy someone else’s wish to honour a third party. And that was only as a middle name!

Yes I know teen Elsie’s and and an Edith. And I’ve just heard about a baby Patricia being named!