The name Barnaby is a boy's name of English origin meaning "son of consolation". Barnaby and is often added to lists like Best Cool Unusual Boys' Names and discussed in our forums with posts like "Baby a Day".
From the experts:
Barnaby, a genial and energetic name with an Irish-sounding three-syllable lilt, is an ancient appellation that manages to be both unusual and highly attractive and deserves to be used more than it is. A sweet-spot name that's a real winner.
Barnaby is a version of Barnabas, the name of an Apostle companion of St. Paul on his missionary journeys. The name of the good-natured hero of Dickens's novel Barnaby Rudge, it became more familiar to the modern American public through the TV series Barnaby Jones. Barnaby has been a character in Hello, Dolly!, a doctor played by Cary Grant in the movie Monkey Business, a comic strip character, and has starred in a number of children's books.
Lists containing Barnaby:
- High-Energy Baby Names
- Cool Bible Baby Names
- Three-Syllable Baby Names
- Boy Names Kids Consider Cool
- Alternatives to Zachary
- British Boy Names
- Yupster Baby Names for Boys
- Literary Names for Boys
- Names to Substitute for Alex
- Unique Baby Names: Unusual and Rare
- Unusual Baby Names
- Vintage Baby Names
- Cool Vintage Baby Names
- Bible Names for Boys
- Best Cool Unusual Boys' Names
- Cool Classic Boys’ Names — 100+ below the Top 1000
- Unique Boy Names
- Posh Baby Names
- Popular English Boys' Names
- Hipster British Baby Names for Boys
- Bold Bohemian Names for Boys
- Cool Boys’ Names—Rare, Unique and Unusual
Barnaby in Blog Posts
Barnaby in the Forums
Comments
Emilyjayne255 Says:
Hero_Phoebus Says:
I once knew of a boy named Barnaby Bernard - now that is one tongue twister of a name.
sweetsaltwatertaffy Says:
I'd like to formally disagree with the main page - Barnaby is the most hideous name of all time. Don't give it to your kids.
paulapuddephatt Says:
I love this name, and Barney as a nickname, and the purple dinosaur is a cute, fun association.
Wittyusername103 Says:
Nicknames are supposed to be shorter so you'd probably use Abel , Abe or Aby
MarisaRath Says:
I like it, but not Barney as a nn.
SB Says:
It's so cute! And yet so dorky... I have no idea why
lesliemarion Says:
Cozy delicious name like Chester.
headintheclouds Says:
On the surface, Barnaby seems like a name that'd automatically be put on my favorites list- three syllable, old-ish with meaning and roots, not obviously appealing to the general public. But nope :( I think of wallaby, the creepy purple Barney dinosaur, that gross Barney Stinson TV character and I associate it with some incompetent-type confused and bewildered joke character you'd often see in pop culture. This is one of the Nameberry loves I can't really get behind.
Bobcat108 Says:
Barney the Dinosaur is still the first thing that comes to my mind w/any variant of Barny.
Kayte Says:
Love this name! Great vintage name with a British feel.
Zelliew Says:
It sounds old hat to me
Hylian Wizard Says:
Yeah, me neither. Just another well-loved name I don't get. I mean, it's decent as far as names go but- what you said.
clairels Says:
They're onto something.
clairels Says:
Do not understand the appeal of this name at all. It sounds oafish, comical and cartoony.
Essa Says:
This was a name I used to find laughable yet somehow now I'm beginning to love it. It's strange how tastes change.
onlythingbetterthanhairspray Says:
I love this name so much but everyone in my family hates it with a burning passion for some reason.
CocoWhite Says:
Something about this name makes me feel all homey and warm inside.
Claredelune Says:
Total recent name crush. It sounds warm and confident and clever to me.
jem Says:
My brother's name :) I love it!
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No one in Australia is calling their kids Barnaby, google Barnaby Joyce and you will understand.