View Message

[Opinions] Barbara
Wdyt of Barbara and its nicknames?
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

I’ve had an English teacher named Barbara. Honestly? She didn’t really look one. Maybe a Bianca or Beatriz, but Barbara felt so funny on her. Barb is cute.Barbara is okay, as far as old-lady ish names so I love Theresa a whole lot more. But when I see Barbara I think of a beautiful lady who is wise. Not a bad name at all, just not one I would use.
vote up1
I love Barbara! Its meaning is poetic, and the name itself is brassy and classy. I love Bara and Babe as nicknames.
vote up1
Dislike. Sounds like barbs (as in spikes or insults) or barber to me.
vote up2
I think it's dated and still needs a little more time before it's ready to comeback.
vote up2
I like Barbara, though my daughter giggles whenever I mention it. The nicknames are a drawback, but I know a couple of Barbara people who go by the full form and nobody minds. Barbara, Deborah, Eleanor, Jennifer ...good vintage names.Barbie of course is hopelessly plastic-doll. Babs isn't bad; certainly better than Debs. I know a Barbara who used to go by Bibi, but gave it up. Ba or Bah is about the best, but I don't find a nn necessary. Maybe back in the day when there were more than one Barbara in every classroom, but not now.
vote up1
No problem with Barbara, have known 3,two of whom went by Barb, the third by her full name. Never really thought about it since I've always known one, but don't know any younger than 25 for sure. Must say of all the nicks, really dislike Babs, the rest are usable.
vote up1
I think it's kinda bad. Mostly because of the repeated bah-bah sound. The R's, so growly. Also the association with the word barbarism. The word barb in it. It's so stern and harsh sounding to me. Bara or Bari (bahr-ee, not like Barry) would be the only decent nicknames imo.

This message was edited 12/29/2022, 9:42 PM

vote up1
It's ok
vote up1
I find Barbara quite charming - not even in a retro way, just in general. The nicknames, unfortunately, are the drawbacks for me:1. Barbie sounds quite childish to my ears, even without the doll association.
2. Barb is probably the most intuitive, but even then reminiscent of barbed wire.
3. Babs doesn't sound like a person's name at all.
4. Babe is a term of endearment between couples.
5. Bobbi sounds like a little boy's name in one breath, and socks in the next.
6. Babette... actually is pretty cool, but outside of Francophone culture would be perceived as trying way too hard.
7. Basia (BAH-shah) is one I've heard among Polish people before, and it's kind of cute (if a little reminiscent of bashing people in the head).The Croatian nickname Bara is the only one that I'd feel comfortable with, honestly; so if I were to use Barbara, I'd try to push this nickname early on.

This message was edited 12/29/2022, 9:04 PM

vote up1
I agree with everything.
vote up1