Barbra: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among girls

Babies in 2025

named Barbra

How common

–

girls born in 2025

Peak year

1966

343 babies

All-time total

7,758

#1,941 all-time among girls

First recorded

1882

in Social Security records

Barbra popularity over time

7,758 babies have been named Barbra since 1882, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	5	1	–	#920
1890s	5	1	0%	#1,729
1900s	5	1	0%	#1,961
1910s	111	11	+2120%	#1,874
1920s	311	31	+180%	#1,003
1930s	720	72	+132%	#680
1940s	1,142	114	+59%	#596
1950s	1,665	167	+46%	#578
1960s	1,890	189	+14%	#512
1970s	1,116	112	-41%	#741
1980s	514	51	-54%	#1,420
1990s	187	19	-64%	#3,373
2000s	72	7	-61%	#8,627
2010s	15	2	-79%	#16,948
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

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.

How old are people named Barbra?

The median living Barbra is about 60 years old; half are between 53 and 72. An estimated 5,900 people named Barbra are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

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

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Barbra Streisand American singer and actress (born 1942) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Barbra, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Barbra?

The median living Barbra is about 60 years old. Half of all living Barbras are between 53 and 72 years old.

How many people named Barbra are alive today?

An estimated 5,900 people named Barbra are alive in the United States, based on 7,758 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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).

Names like Barbra

Names that sound and feel close to Barbra: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Barbra with similar names → More names starting with B →