Barnaby

“Son of Comfort”

England origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#12463US 2023

5Births / yr

↑Rising

351All-time births

📅 Since 195300

How to pronounce Barnaby

BAH·rnub·ee

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

“Son of Comfort”

England origin · Boy name

What does Barnaby mean and where does it come from?

Barnaby is derived from the Aramaic name 'Bar nabi', meaning 'son of the prophet'. The name has a rich historical background and was popularized in medieval England. One of the earliest recorded uses is from the 13th century. Variants include Barnabas, which is a biblical name carried by one of the

Cultural significance

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

Peak popularity

Reached #2261 in 1974 — currently #12463 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Barnaby?

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

Barnaby Grace

How popular is Barnaby right now?

Rising fast — up 115 spots — currently #12463 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1960–2023#12463 · Top 9.2%

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

2005

2010

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#12463	5	▲ up 115
2022	#12578	5	▼ down 2737 · -29% births
2021	#9841	7	▲ up 2342 · +40% births
2020	#12183	5	▼ down 2315 · -29% births
2010	#9868	7	▲ up 1909 · +40% births
2005	#11777	5	▼ down 4347 · -17% births
1990	#7430	6	▼ down 2543 · -25% births
1985	#4887	8	▼ down 1702 · -43% births
1980	#3185	14	▼ down 336
1975	#2849	14	▲ up 2297 · +180% births
1970	#5146	5	▼ down 1318 · -17% births
1965	#3828	6	▼ down 522 · -25% births
1960	#3306	8	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Barnaby

Best Year1975Rank #2849

Peak Count14

Average Rank#7642

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1960 - 202313 years

The story of Barnaby

Barnaby entered American naming records in 1953 and has been in use for over 71 years. With 351 total births recorded, Barnaby remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #3306 in 1960, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #12463 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Barnaby in 1974:

Michael Jason Christopher David James

Barnaby by decade

Barnaby peaked in the 1970s. See all 1970s names →

Decade	Births
1950s	25
1960s	48
1970s ★	123
1980s	74
1990s	16
2000s	5
2010s	55
2020s	5

💎Barnaby has only 351 total recorded births since 1953 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Barnaby?

ENGLISH

Barney

HUNGARIAN

Barna

What names sound and feel like Barnaby?

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

Barnard

England · son of Bernard

Barnabé

Arabic · A Arabic name

Barnaba

Arabic · A Arabic name

Burnaby

International · A International name

Carraby

Latin · A Latin name

Brnaby

Celtic · A Celtic name

How is Barnaby written in other languages?

Common questions about the name Barnaby

What does the name Barnaby mean?

Barnaby means "Son of Comfort" — a name rooted in England 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 Barnaby?

Barnaby is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is becoming rarer and more distinctive, making it a unique choice that stands out.

What is the cultural origin of Barnaby?

Barnaby originates from England tradition. England 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 Barnaby?

Barnaby is a three-syllable name pronounced B AA1 R N AH0 B IY0. 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 Barnaby?

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