Barbara Lister

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Barbara Lister — foreign, stranger
1.5 million People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Barbara Lister 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 Lister: The name probably comes from the Old Norse verb 'lita', meaning 'to dye' and rendered as 'lystare' in English. The noun for 'dyer' was 'litster' (Scottish), 'lit(t)e' (middle English), or 'lister' (English). The word was also associated with a 'salmon spear', rendered 'lyster' (Danish) or 'lister' (English). A 1533 Act of Parliament stated, "No person shall take in any crele, raw web, lister.... the young fry of salmon." The name took hold in areas of England in the 16th century known for the woollen industry, mainly Yorkshire, but also Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk. 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: Lister

Norse

The name probably comes from the Old Norse verb 'lita', meaning 'to dye' and rendered as 'lystare' in English. The noun for 'dyer' was 'litster' (Scottish), 'lit(t)e' (middle English), or 'lister' (English). The word was also associated with a 'salmon spear', rendered 'lyster' (Danish) or 'lister' (English). A 1533 Act of Parliament stated, "No person shall take in any crele, raw web, lister.... the young fry of salmon." The name took hold in areas of England in the 16th century known for the woollen industry, mainly Yorkshire, but also Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk.

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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 Lister

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 Lister:

9
Expression Number

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

8
Soul Urge Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

1
Personality Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

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 Lister?
The surname Lister originates from Norse. The name probably comes from the Old Norse verb 'lita', meaning 'to dye' and rendered as 'lystare' in English. The noun for 'dyer' was 'litster' (Scottish), 'lit(t)e' (middle English), or 'lister' (English). The word was also associated with a 'salmon spear', rendered 'lyster' (Danish) or 'lister' (English). A 1533 Act of Parliament stated, "No person shall take in any crele, raw web, lister.... the young fry of salmon." The name took hold in areas of England in the 16th century known for the woollen industry, mainly Yorkshire, but also Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk.
What are the origins of the name Barbara Lister?
The name Barbara Lister combines two different traditions: the first name Barbara has Greek roots, while the surname Lister originates from Norse.
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