The nameBarnabas
Barnabas is a biblical name of encouragement. It is quietly fashionable in England.
- Boy's name
- Aramaic
- Feast day
Meaning
Barnabas is explained in the Acts of the Apostles as "son of encouragement".
Origin
Aramaic, through Greek.
History
Barnabas travelled with Saint Paul on his first missionary journey. In England and Wales the name reached 1000th place in 1998 and was 1613th in 2025.
Popularity of the name Barnabas
Barnabas in the United States
Barnabas was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 136 births over the decade, 24% of all recorded babies named Barnabas. Its rise began around 1920, and it peaked in 2017. Half of all babies named Barnabas in the United States were born before 2002.
Sibling names for Barnabas
Names from the same generation as Barnabas, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Barnabas? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Barnabas with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Barnabas side by side with the name of your choice.
Barnabas in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Barnabas mean?
Barnabas is explained in the Acts of the Apostles as "son of encouragement".
What is the origin of the name Barnabas?
Aramaic, through Greek.
Is Barnabas a girl's or a boy's name?
Barnabas is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Barnabas?
In 2024, Barnabas was the 4671st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 22 births.
What are good sibling names for Barnabas?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Reine, Aurélie, Talitha and Gertrude for a sister, Rupert, Aloysius, Rolland and Malone for a brother.