Barnaby: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	25	3	–	#3,240
1960s	48	5	+92%	#3,067
1970s	123	12	+156%	#2,204
1980s	74	7	-40%	#3,111
1990s	16	2	-78%	#7,261
2000s	5	1	-69%	#11,662
2010s	55	6	+1000%	#7,614
2020s (to 2025)	34	6	+3%	#9,848

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

1920s

–

1930s

–

1940s

–

1950s

–

#3,240

1960s

+92%

#3,067

1970s

123

+156%

#2,204

1980s

-40%

#3,111

1990s

-78%

#7,261

2000s

-69%

#11,662

2010s

+1000%

#7,614

2020s (to 2025)

+3%

#9,848

The story of Barnaby

Barnaby is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #12,273 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1953, 380 American babies have been named Barnaby. Its peak came in 1974, when 19 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1970s.

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 Barnaby stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Barnaby?

The median living Barnaby is about 45 years old; half are between 15 and 52. An estimated 400 people named Barnaby 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.

Barnaby year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	5	#12,273
2024	7	#10,030
2023	5	#12,471
2022	5	#12,583
2021	7	#9,848
2020	5	#12,245
2019	8	#9,000
2018	7	#9,793
2017	10	#7,628
2016	6	#10,901
2015	–	–
2014	10	#7,614
2013	–	–
2012	7	#9,819
2011	–	–
2010	7	#9,807
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	5	#11,662
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	6	#7,261
1985	8	#4,736
1980	14	#3,111
1975	14	#2,767
1970	5	#4,785
1965	6	#3,566
1960	8	#3,108
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Barnaby?

The median living Barnaby is about 45 years old. Half of all living Barnabys are between 15 and 52 years old.

How many people named Barnaby are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Barnaby are alive in the United States, based on 380 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Barnaby mean?

A male given name from Hebrew, from the medieval vernacular form of Barnabas.

How popular is the name Barnaby in 2025?

Barnaby ranked #12,273 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Barnaby?

380 babies have been named Barnaby in the United States since 1953, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Barnaby most popular?

Barnaby peaked in 1974, when 19 newborns received the name.

Is Barnaby a boy or girl name?

Barnaby is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Barnaby rising or falling?

Barnaby is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Barnaby

Barnaby popularity over time

The story of Barnaby

How old are people named Barnaby?

Barnaby year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Barnaby