Barbara

a female given name: from a Greek word meaning “foreign, exotic.”.
Contemporary Examples

Barbara Probst snaps single scenes from many angles – none seem to catch the truth.
Capturing Contingency Blake Gopnik December 15, 2013

Barbara Walters introduced him to Paul McCartney at the Kennedy Center honors on December 6.
An American in Full Jonathan Alter December 13, 2010

Seau certainly had an impact on Barbara Cousins Trageser, an editor with the North County Times newspaper in San Diego County.
Sudden Suicide of NFL Great Junior Seau Baffles Family, Fans Jamie Reno May 2, 2012

Also on the list: Henry Kravis, Rupert Murdoch, Warren Buffett, and George and Barbara Bush.
How Funny Is Obama? Sandra McElwaine January 29, 2009

He escorted her to dinners at the homes of Barbara Walters, Louise and Henry Grunwald, and, of course, to the theater.
The A-List Witness List Ralph Gardner, Jr. May 12, 2009

Historical Examples

“Everybody to her taste,” replied Barbara curtly, shrugging her shoulders.
Barbara Blomberg, Complete Georg Ebers

Barbara resisted them with much wild shrieking, but I submitted in silence.
Margaret Tudor Annie T. Colcock

Barbara could not truthfully say that her love had begun so early.
The Shadow of the Czar John R. Carling

“Thank you, dear Dame, for your kind nursing,” I said to Barbara.
Margaret Tudor Annie T. Colcock

All this care, and love, and tenderness belonged now of right to Barbara, and were given to her.
East Lynne Mrs. Henry Wood

fem. proper name, from Latin, fem. of barbarus “strange, foreign, barbarous,” from Greek barbaros (see barbarian). For women, unlike men, the concept of “alien” presumably could be felt as “exotic” and thus make an appealing name. Popularized as a Christian name by the legend of Saint Barbara, early 4c. martyr, whose cult was popular from 7c. The common Middle English form was Barbary. A top 10 name in popularity for girls born in the U.S. between 1927 and 1958.