Barbara Hennessey

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Barbara Hennessey — foreign, stranger
1.5 million People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Barbara Hennessey is a name that combines Greek origins. The first name Barbara is a feminine given name of Greek origin. From the Greek Barbaros (Βάρβαρος), meaning "foreign." Saint Barbara is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. The surname Hennessey: Hennessey is an Irish surname, being the anglicised form of Ó hAonghusa. Families of this name were found in Kingdom of Uí Failghe and Kingdom of Desmond. People with the surname Brad Hennessey (born 1980), baseball player Charlotte Hennessey (1873–1928), Canadian actress; mother of Mary Pickford (Gladys Louise Smith), Lottie Pickford and Jack Pickford Dan Hennessey (1942–2024), American-Canadian voice actor Dorothy Hennessey (1913–2008), Roman Catholic religious sister and activist Gwen Hennessey (born 1932), Roman Catholic religious sister and activist John Hennessey, founder of Hennessey Pe. Barbara is one of the most widespread first names worldwide, carried by approximately 1.5 million people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Barbara reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Barbara

Meaning: foreign, stranger

Greek

From the Greek Barbaros (Βάρβαρος), meaning "foreign." Saint Barbara is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Surname: Hennessey

Irish

Hennessey is an Irish surname, being the anglicised form of Ó hAonghusa. Families of this name were found in Kingdom of Uí Failghe and Kingdom of Desmond. People with the surname Brad Hennessey (born 1980), baseball player Charlotte Hennessey (1873–1928), Canadian actress; mother of Mary Pickford (Gladys Louise Smith), Lottie Pickford and Jack Pickford Dan Hennessey (1942–2024), American-Canadian voice actor Dorothy Hennessey (1913–2008), Roman Catholic religious sister and activist Gwen Hennessey (born 1932), Roman Catholic religious sister and activist John Hennessey, founder of Hennessey Pe.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Barbara is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 22%
Australia 10%
Greece 8%
Canada 10%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Barbara by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Barbara Hennessey

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Barbara Hennessey:

4
Expression Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

9
Soul Urge Number

Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.

4
Personality Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Barbara?
The first name Barbara originates from Greek. From the Greek Barbaros (Βάρβαρος), meaning "foreign." Saint Barbara is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
When was Barbara most popular?
The name Barbara reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Hennessey?
The surname Hennessey originates from Irish. Hennessey is an Irish surname, being the anglicised form of Ó hAonghusa. Families of this name were found in Kingdom of Uí Failghe and Kingdom of Desmond. People with the surname Brad Hennessey (born 1980), baseball player Charlotte Hennessey (1873–1928), Canadian actress; mother of Mary Pickford (Gladys Louise Smith), Lottie Pickford and Jack Pickford Dan Hennessey (1942–2024), American-Canadian voice actor Dorothy Hennessey (1913–2008), Roman Catholic religious sister and activist Gwen Hennessey (born 1932), Roman Catholic religious sister and activist John Hennessey, founder of Hennessey Pe.
What are the origins of the name Barbara Hennessey?
The name Barbara Hennessey combines two different traditions: the first name Barbara has Greek roots, while the surname Hennessey originates from Irish.
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