Barnard: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Barnard

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1963

25 babies

All-time total

895

#5,519 all-time among boys

First recorded

1891

in Social Security records

Barnard popularity over time

895 babies have been named Barnard since 1891, 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	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	5	1	–	#981
1900s	5	1	0%	#1,262
1910s	108	11	+2060%	#1,589
1920s	151	15	+40%	#1,589
1930s	95	10	-37%	#2,064
1940s	103	10	+8%	#2,015
1950s	109	11	+6%	#2,048
1960s	178	18	+63%	#1,590
1970s	79	8	-56%	#2,745
1980s	38	4	-52%	#4,534
1990s	24	2	-37%	#7,039
2000s	–	–	–	–
2010s	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

The story of Barnard

Barnard 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 1891, 895 American babies have been named Barnard. Its peak came in 1963, when 25 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 Barnard stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Barnard?

The median living Barnard is about 61 years old; half are between 53 and 70. An estimated 400 people named Barnard 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.

Barnard year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	5	#8,232
1985	–	–
1980	8	#4,534
1975	8	#3,978
1970	12	#2,745
1965	13	#2,279
1960	15	#2,131
1955	10	#2,578
1950	–	–
1945	12	#2,015
1940	9	#2,499
1935	5	#3,688
1930	14	#2,088
1925	23	#1,589
1920	8	#3,232
1915	19	#1,607
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Barnard

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

1 Barnard Hughes American actor (1915–2006) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Barnard?

The median living Barnard is about 61 years old. Half of all living Barnards are between 53 and 70 years old.

How many people named Barnard are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Barnard are alive in the United States, based on 895 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Barnard mean?

English, Dutch, and French surname, variant of Bernard.

How popular is the name Barnard in 2025?

Barnard 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 Barnard?

895 babies have been named Barnard in the United States since 1891, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Barnard most popular?

Barnard peaked in 1963, when 25 newborns received the name.

Is Barnard a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Barnard rising or falling?

Barnard has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Barnard?

Well-known people named Barnard include Barnard Hughes (actor).

Names like Barnard

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

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