Animal Names for Girls

Its resonant rhythm and positive connotations have led to some popularity with African-American parents, though it tends to have a masculine feel, particularly considering the rise of a certain Barack.

Baraka

Barb is a midcentury nickname name that, like Deb and Sue, feels terminally dates now. But with the revival of Barbie, Barb may not be far behind.

Barb

Barbarella is a feminine name that gained recognition primarily through the 1968 science fiction film of the same name featuring Jane Fonda. It's an elaboration of Barbara, which comes from Greek meaning 'foreign woman' or 'stranger.' The '-ella' suffix adds a diminutive, affectionate quality. Barbarella carries a distinctly retro, space-age vibe that evokes the 1960s era of futurism and innovative style. While uncommon as a given name, it possesses a playful, bold character that sets it apart. Those named Barbarella might appreciate the name's associations with a strong, adventurous female character and its unique pop culture legacy combining femininity with futuristic flair.

Barbarella

In Medieval England, Barbary was a common given name and short form of Barbara. Today it exists as a surname, either derived from Barbara itself, or in French, from the Occitan barbari, meaning "barbarian."
 
The Barbary Coast historically referred to the coastline of modern-day Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. Barbary was used as a baby name by enslaved people from the region.

Barbary

Barbe is a feminine name of French origin, serving as the French form of Barbara. Deriving from the Greek word 'barbaros,' originally meaning 'foreign' or 'strange,' the name was later associated with Saint Barbara, a popular early Christian martyr. Barbe was particularly common in medieval France, appearing frequently in historical records from the 12th to 17th centuries. While its usage declined in modern times, it retains its historical charm and cultural significance. The name's single-syllable simplicity gives it a certain elegance, though modern parents more commonly opt for Barbara or its variants. In French-speaking regions, Barbe occasionally appears as a traditional family name honoring ancestral connections.

Barbe

Barbee is a whimsical feminine name that serves as a variant spelling of Barbie or Barby, which themselves are diminutive forms of Barbara. The name Barbara originates from Greek, meaning 'foreign' or 'stranger.' The distinctive double-e ending gives Barbee a playful, unique quality compared to more traditional spellings. While inevitably associated with the famous Mattel doll, the name Barbee predates the toy and has its own identity. This spelling variation emerged primarily in the mid-20th century but has remained relatively uncommon. Parents who choose Barbee typically appreciate its cheerful, friendly sound and distinctive spelling. The name conveys a sense of brightness and approachability, though some may hesitate due to the strong cultural association with the iconic doll.

Barbee

Barbette is a delicate feminine name of French origin, functioning as a diminutive of Barbara. Barbara derives from Greek, meaning "foreign" or "strange," while the '-ette' suffix adds a sense of daintiness and charm typical of French naming traditions. Barbette peaked in minimal usage during the early 20th century but has since become exceedingly rare. The name carries a vintage, somewhat theatrical quality, which may be connected to its other meaning in French circus arts, where a "barbette" refers to a type of aerial apparatus. With its soft sounds and romantic French flair, Barbette might appeal to parents seeking a truly uncommon name with historical roots and a touch of artistic elegance.

Barbette

Barbi does Barbie one better. The spelling variant 'Barbi' with an 'i' ending gives it a more playful, youthful quality compared to the more formal Barbara. While its popularity peaked in the 1960s and 1970s following the doll's success, it has since become less common as a given name. 

But formal name Barbara recently made popularity gains, so we may see more little girls named Barbi.

Barbi

Barbica is a feminine name with potential Slavic origins, likely derived as a diminutive or variant form of Barbara. The suffix "-ica" is common in South Slavic languages like Croatian, Serbian, and Slovenian, where it creates affectionate or familiar forms of names. Barbara itself comes from Greek elements meaning "foreign" or "strange." Barbica remains extremely rare in English-speaking countries, making it an unusual choice that maintains connections to Eastern European naming traditions. The name has a rhythmic quality with its three syllables and offers a distinctive alternative to more common Barbara derivatives. Parents might choose Barbica for its uniqueness while still having roots in the familiar classic name Barbara.

Barbica

Barbika is an unusual feminine name that appears to be related to the name Barbara, which means 'foreign woman' or 'stranger' in Greek. The '-ika' suffix gives it a Slavic or Eastern European character, as this type of diminutive ending is common in languages like Czech, Slovak, and Hungarian. The name may also remind some of the Barbie doll, though this would be a coincidental association rather than the name's origin. Barbika remains very rare globally, making it a highly distinctive choice. It carries a playful, feminine quality while maintaining connections to the traditional Barbara. Parents might choose this name for its unique sound and Eastern European flair while appreciating its distant connection to a classic feminine name.

Barbika

Even in Sweden, Barbara is preferred. If you're looking for a variation to spice up Barbara, you may want to instead consider Varvara or Barabal.

Barbo

The Czech, Slovak and Lithuanian form of Barbara isn't quite far enough from the English one to make it sound fresh to us. Our favorite international version is Greek Varvara.

Barbora

Barbra is a feminine name that emerged as a variant spelling of Barbara, which comes from Greek origins meaning 'foreign woman' or 'stranger.' This spelling was particularly popularized by legendary singer and actress Barbra Streisand, who adopted this variant of her birth name Barbara. The dropped middle 'a' creates a more streamlined pronunciation that better matches how the name is commonly said. While less common than the traditional Barbara, this variant has maintained steady usage since the mid-20th century, largely due to Streisand's influence. Barbra carries the same classic, strong qualities as Barbara but with a slightly more modern feel. The name evokes sophistication and artistic talent, thanks to its famous namesake, while still connecting to the long history of Barbara as a traditional women's name.

Barbra

A more upbeat, modern-sounding version of a granny name. 

Barbro

Barby is a feminine diminutive name that originated as a nickname for Barbara, which comes from Greek meaning 'foreign woman' or 'stranger.' This playful variation gained recognition in the mid-20th century, partly influenced by the famous Barbie doll introduced by Mattel in 1959. While less formal than Barbara, Barby (with the 'y' spelling) offers a slightly more distinctive alternative to the doll-associated spelling. The name has a cheerful, friendly quality that conveys warmth and approachability. Though never achieving mainstream popularity as a given name, Barby has been used consistently in small numbers, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. Today, it's relatively uncommon as a legal given name, with most people using it as a nickname. Its informal, youthful spirit continues to appeal to some parents looking for something familiar yet unconventional.

Barby

Attractive but somewhat unwieldy place-name name. 

Barcelona

Bardot joined the first and last names of other glamour girl icons such as (Jean) Harlow when David Boreanaz chose the surname of '50s French sex symbol Brigitte Bardot for his daughter. Bardot debuted in the US charts in 2022.

Bardot

Bardou is a holiday destination in France, known for its pictureque village nestled in mountains. It is also a region of Guinea. As a name, it is more commonly known from its English derivation, meaning axe-wielding wolf.

Bardou

Barely is an extremely rare feminine name that appears to have emerged as a modern coinage rather than having historical roots. As an unconventional name choice, it may have originated as a creative adaptation of names like Beverly, Barley, or possibly as an adverb transformed into a given name. The word 'barely' in English typically means 'only just' or 'hardly,' giving the name a distinctive and unusual quality. With minimal documented usage, Barely falls into the category of highly uncommon modern names that challenge traditional naming conventions. Parents choosing this name might appreciate its uniqueness and contemporary feel, though its similarity to the adverb may present practical challenges in everyday use.

Barely

Baret is an uncommon feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the French surname Barret, ultimately from Old French 'barete' meaning 'deceiver' or 'trouble.' Alternatively, it could be a variant spelling of Barrett or Barret, surnames that originated from Old Germanic elements meaning 'bear-strength.' As a female given name, Baret has remained extremely rare throughout recorded history. The name has a strong, concise sound with its two syllables ending in a crisp consonant. Its androgynous quality gives it versatility and a contemporary feel despite its historical roots. The spelling variation with one 'r' distinguishes it from the more common surname Barrett while maintaining its distinctive character.