Babara
A girl's name of Greek origin with 431 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Babara is a three-syllable girl's name with a open, warm sound — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. With only 431 recorded U.S. births, it is exceptionally rare — the kind of name most people encounter for the first time when they meet your child.
Babara is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Babara is a girl's baby name of Greek origin, a variant spelling of Barbara, from the Greek barbaros meaning 'foreign' or 'strange' — the Greek word for those who didn't speak Greek. Saint Barbara, a 3rd-century martyr, made this name beloved across Christian traditions.
Babara's variant spelling gives the classic name a slightly more unusual written form while retaining its warm, familiar sound. Barbara was one of the most popular American names of the 1940s and 50s — this spelling carries all that nostalgic warmth with a personal touch.
EtymologyShow more
Babara is cataloged under the Greek naming tradition. Greek-origin names have traveled through mythology, early Christianity, and scholarly tradition to become fixtures in naming cultures worldwide.
In the U.S., Babara has been recorded as a girl's name since 1918, with 431 total births. Browse the Greek names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Babara has 44+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1918.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 11 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 25 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 102 | — |
| 1950s | 104 | — |
| 1940s | 107 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 70 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 6 | — |
| 1910s | 6 | — |
The Story of Babara
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1963, Babara is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Babara are most likely born between 1953 and 1973.
How rare is Babara?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Babara is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1918, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1940s with 107 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Babara by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Babara per day would take 1.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(44 years, 1918–1989)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 5 | #12579 |
| 1986 | 6 | #9663 |
| 1974 | 6 | #7768 |
| 1971 | 10 | #5158 |
| 1970 | 9 | #5436 |
| 1967 | 9 | #4651 |
| 1966 | 11 | #3978 |
| 1965 | 10 | #4219 |
| 1964 | 16 | #3252 |
| 1963 | 20 | #2788 |
| 1962 | 7 | #5336 |
| 1961 | 15 | #3328 |
| 1960 | 14 | #3363 |
| 1959 | 12 | #3630 |
| 1958 | 14 | #3239 |
| 1957 | 8 | #4562 |
| 1956 | 9 | #4186 |
| 1955 | 14 | #3106 |
| 1954 | 7 | #4689 |
| 1953 | 9 | #3980 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Babara a boy's or girl's name?
When was Babara most popular?
How popular is the name Babara?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1918–1989