Barnaby Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Barnaby originates from the Aramaic 'Bar-Nabba', meaning 'son of the prophet'. It evolved through Greek and Middle English forms before settling in Modern English. The name carries traits of friendliness and approachability and has biblical relevance through its connection to Barnabas in the New Testament.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Barnaby"
Pronunciation
/ˈbɑːrnəbi/
Origin
Aramaic
Etymology
The name Barnaby is derived from the Aramaic name 'Bar-Nabba', which means 'son of the prophet'.
Meaning
son of the prophet
Language Evolution
Bar-Nabba (Aramaic), Barnabas (Greek), Barnaby (Middle English), Barnaby (Modern English)
Biblical Background
Barnaby is often associated with Barnabas, a prominent figure in the New Testament who was a companion of the Apostle Paul.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages, particularly due to the biblical association with Barnabas.
Variants & Derivatives
Barnabas, Barney, Barny
Modern Popularity & Image
Barnaby is viewed as a traditional and somewhat whimsical name, often associated with friendliness and approachability.
Famous People
Barnaby Rudge (fictional character by Charles Dickens), Barnaby Joyce (Australian politician), Barnaby C. H. W. R. G. L. V. T. L. B. S. B. A. (various historical figures)
📊 Barnaby Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Barnaby Name Visualizations
✨ Barnaby Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 19 peak births in 1974
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 US states, with strongest presence in New York
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Barnaby"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Barnaby"
"Barnaby" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4360th of 7552 | 54 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3276th of 10718 | 156 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7061st of 16616 | 76 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 17464th of 24088 | 19 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 10316th of 23106 | 70 |
Regional Popularity of "Barnaby" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
60.24% 2098th/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
63.94% 4039th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Barnaby" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Barnaby"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Barnaby" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Barnaby" in the United States
The name Barnaby is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Barnaby has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Barnaby' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4360th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3276th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7061st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 17464th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 10316th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Barnaby' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.