The first name Barnabas
A boy’s name from Hebrew meaning “prophet's son”, “son of”, “prophet”.
Pronounced /ˈbɑɹnəbəs/ 3 syllables Male
Meaning and origin
Hebrew origin
Barnabas means “prophet's son”, “son of”, “prophet” in Hebrew.
From Ancient Greek Βαρναβᾶς (Barnabâs), from Aramaic בַרְנֶבֻאָה (barneḇú’â, literally “prophet's son”), from בּר (bar, “son of”) and נְבִיָּא (nəḇiyyā, “prophet”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 16 boys were named Barnabas, making it the 1,613th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2019, with 28 births (#1,001).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Barnabas with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Barnabas at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 30 boys born in the United States were named Barnabas, the 3,669th most popular boys’ name that year.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Barnabas in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Nicknames and spellings
Other spellings and forms
Famous people named Barnabas
3 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Barnabás RáczAssociation football player, born 1996
- Barnabás SztipánovicsAssociation football player (1974–)
- Barnabas ZhangChinese christian (1882–1961)
More Hebrew boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Barnabas mean?
- Barnabas means “prophet's son”, “son of”, “prophet” in Hebrew.
- What is the origin of the name Barnabas?
- From Ancient Greek Βαρναβᾶς (Barnabâs), from Aramaic בַרְנֶבֻאָה (barneḇú’â, literally “prophet's son”), from בּר (bar, “son of”) and נְבִיָּא (nəḇiyyā, “prophet”).
- How popular is the name Barnabas?
- In 2025, 16 boys born in England and Wales were named Barnabas, ranking 1,613th. Its peak was 2019, with 28 births.
- Is Barnabas a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 605 US babies named Barnabas since 1880 were boys.
- When was Barnabas most popular?
- 2025 in the United States, when 30 babies were named Barnabas, its highest rank at 3,669th.
- How do you pronounce Barnabas?
- Barnabas is /ˈbɑɹnəbəs/, 3 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Barnabas?
- Barnaby.