Barak

A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 921 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's name#5247 in 2024Rising fast

Meaning & Origin

The commander of the army of Deborah in the Old Testament.

Barak is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, from the Hebrew Barak, meaning 'lightning' or 'flash' — evoking the sudden, powerful brilliance of a thunderbolt. In the Book of Judges, Barak was the military commander who fought alongside the prophetess Deborah to liberate Israel from Canaanite oppression.

Barak entered the broader public consciousness through Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States — whose given name shares this Hebrew root through the Swahili form. The original Hebrew Barak carries a fierce, elemental energy: the lightning strike that illuminates and destroys in an instant, a name for a decisive and powerful leader.

EtymologyShow more

Barak is cataloged under the Hebrew naming tradition. Hebrew names often carry theological significance — many embed references to God, virtues, or blessings within their structure.

In the U.S., Barak has been recorded as a boy's name since 1953, with 921 total births. Browse the Hebrew names hub on this site to explore the broader family.

At a Glance

921

Total births

Since 1953

2006

Peak

29 births

1953

First recorded

72 years of data

Compare Barak with another name

Popularity Over Time

Barak was #4620 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #5247, but its charm endures.

First appeared: 1953Peak: 2006 (29 births)Current: #5247

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Barak
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	61	#7000	▼
2010s	90	#7972	▼
2000s	196	#4583	—
1990s	214	#3237	▲
1980s	151	#3297	▲
1970s	136	#2861	▲
1960s	63	#2947	▲
1950s	10	#3919	—

The Story of Barak

A Gen Z name

Peaking in 2006, Barak is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Barak are most likely born between 1996 and 2016.

How rare is Barak?

Only about 1 in every 200,000 babies born in 2024 was named Barak — a truly uncommon choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1953, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1990s with 214 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.

Barak by the numbers

Would fill 19 school buses
Meeting one Barak per day would take 2.5 years

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(63 years, 1953–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Barak
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	18	#5247	+9 (100.0%)
2023	9	#8331	-5 (-35.7%)
2022	14	#6184	+4 (40.0%)
2021	10	#7659	0
2020	10	#7577	-5 (-33.3%)
2019	15	#5838	+3 (25.0%)
2018	12	#6749	-2 (-14.3%)
2017	14	#6089	+6 (75.0%)
2016	8	#8931	+1 (14.3%)
2015	7	#9685	-2 (-22.2%)
2014	9	#8212	+2 (28.6%)
2013	7	#9753	-1 (-12.5%)
2011	8	#8842	-2 (-20.0%)
2010	10	#7645	-4 (-28.6%)
2009	14	#6129	-1 (-6.7%)
2008	15	#5801	-4 (-21.1%)
2007	19	#4824	-10 (-34.5%)
2006	29	#3529	+1 (3.6%)
2005	28	#3460	+10 (55.6%)
2004	18	#4620	-4 (-18.2%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Barak a boy's or girl's name?

Barak is primarily a boy's name.

When was Barak most popular?

Barak reached its peak popularity in 2006 with 29 births that year. It is currently ranked #5247 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Barak?

Barak is currently ranked #5247 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 921 babies since 1953.

Explore More

By Length5-letter names By OriginHebrew names By EndingNames in -k TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1953–2024