Barnabas

“son of comfort” — Associated with Saint Barnabas

Greece origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#5090US 2023

19Births / yr

↑Rising

504All-time births

📅 Since 192000

How to pronounce Barnabas

BAH·rnub·us

/ˈbɑ.rnəb.əs/ · stress on BAH · 3 syllables

“son of comfort”

Associated with Saint Barnabas · Greece origin

What does Barnabas mean and where does it come from?

Barnabas originates from Greek, meaning 'son of comfort.' It is also found in Hebrew as 'בַּר נָבָא', signifying a similar meaning. This name is often associated with Saint Barnabas, a significant figure in early Christianity. The name has been popular among various Christian communities worldwide,

Cultural significance

Barnabas has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Greece-speaking communities, where it reflects values of son of comfort.

Peak popularity

Reached #2967 in 1969 — currently #5090 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Barnabas?

Barnabas works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Barnabas Grace

How popular is Barnabas right now?

Rising fast — up 1432 spots — currently #5090 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1920–2023#5090 · Top 3.8%

1920

1950

1970

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#5090	19	▲ up 1432 · +46% births
2022	#6522	13	▼ down 932 · -19% births
2021	#5590	16	▼ down 1189 · -27% births
2020	#4401	22	▲ up 1372 · +47% births
2015	#5773	15	▲ up 2458 · +67% births
2010	#8231	9	▼ down 1040 · -10% births
2005	#7191	10	▼ down 785
2000	#6406	10	▲ up 729 · +43% births
1995	#7135	7	▼ down 2040 · -30% births
1990	#5095	10	▲ up 238 · +43% births
1985	#5333	7	▼ down 1081 · -22% births
1980	#4252	9	▼ down 240 · +29% births
1970	#4012	7	▼ down 6 · +40% births
1950	#4006	5	▲ up 836
1920	#4842	5	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Barnabas

Best Year1950Rank #4006

Peak Count22

Average Rank#5592

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1920 - 202315 years

The story of Barnabas

Barnabas entered American naming records in 1920 and has been in use for over 104 years. With 504 total births recorded, Barnabas remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #4842 in 1920, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #5090 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Barnabas in 1969:

Michael David James John Robert

Barnabas by decade

Barnabas peaked in the 1960s. See all 1960s names →

Decade	Births
1920s	5
1930s	5
1950s	20
1960s	34
1970s	57
1980s	74
1990s	80
2000s	72
2010s ★	135
2020s	22

💎Barnabas has only 504 total recorded births since 1920 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Barnabas?

ENGLISH

Barney

HUNGARIAN

Barna

What names sound and feel like Barnabas?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Barnabas also consider these

Barbabas

Arabic · A Arabic name

Barabas

Arabic · A Arabic name

Barnebas

Arabic · A Arabic name

Savalas

Greece · the savior

Nicholas

Greece · victory of the

Abraxas

Greece · a mystical word

Banegas

Arabic · A Arabic name

Jardanas

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

How is Barnabas written in other languages?

Βαρναβας

Ancient Greek

Common questions about the name Barnabas

What does the name Barnabas mean?

Barnabas means "son of comfort" — a name rooted in Greece tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Barnabas?

Barnabas is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Barnabas have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Barnabas?

Barnabas originates from Greece tradition. Greece names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Barnabas?

Barnabas is a three-syllable name pronounced B AA1 R N AH0 B AH0 S. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Barnabas?

Barnabas pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Greece heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.