Barbra
A female given name from Latin, a nonstandard spelling of Barbara.
Every Barbra since 1882 — 7,758 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Barbra
Barbra is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1882, 7,758 American babies have been named Barbra. Its peak came in 1966, when 343 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Barbra stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Barbra year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | #16,956 |
| 2013 | 5 | #16,948 |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | 5 | #17,422 |
| 2009 | 6 | #15,527 |
| 2008 | 5 | #17,932 |
| 2007 | 5 | #18,031 |
| 2006 | 9 | #11,584 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | 12 | #8,800 |
| 2003 | 8 | #11,467 |
| 2002 | 7 | #12,382 |
| 2001 | 9 | #10,220 |
| 2000 | 11 | #8,627 |
| 1995 | 30 | #3,595 |
| 1990 | 32 | #3,373 |
| 1985 | 34 | #2,753 |
| 1980 | 86 | #1,420 |
| 1975 | 94 | #1,219 |
| 1970 | 199 | #741 |
| 1965 | 236 | #639 |
| 1960 | 138 | #893 |
| 1955 | 165 | #738 |
| 1950 | 209 | #578 |
| 1945 | 90 | #790 |
| 1940 | 110 | #661 |
| 1935 | 78 | #767 |
| 1930 | 47 | #1,073 |
| 1925 | 30 | #1,510 |
| 1920 | 12 | #2,741 |
| 1915 | 13 | #2,264 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | 5 | #1,961 |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Barbra
- Barbra Streisand Singer · b. 1942
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Barbra mean?
A female given name from Latin, a nonstandard spelling of Barbara.
How popular is the name Barbra in 2025?
Barbra did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Barbra?
7,758 babies have been named Barbra in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Barbra most popular?
Barbra peaked in 1966, when 343 newborns received the name.
Is Barbra a boy or girl name?
Barbra is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Barbra rising or falling?
Barbra is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Barbra?
Well-known people named Barbra include Barbra Streisand (singer).