Barbara Shen
Name meaning, origin and global statistics
Barbara Shen 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 Shen: Shěn is the Mandarin Hanyu pinyin romanization of the Chinese surname 沈. Shen is the 14th surname in the Song-era Hundred Family Surnames also colloquially known as the "common Chinese person" in text & sentences. Ranking 沈 as 14th during the Song dynasty was given by prominence of the family and not the numerical count of members of the family at that time. 沈 is romanised as Sum, Sem, Sam, Sham, or Shum in Cantonese; Sim in Hokkien & Teochew; Shim(심) in Hakka and in Korean; and Thẩm/Trầm in Vietnamese. The family name can also be written as "Shin" or "Sin" as well. 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: Shen
Vietnamese
Shěn is the Mandarin Hanyu pinyin romanization of the Chinese surname 沈. Shen is the 14th surname in the Song-era Hundred Family Surnames also colloquially known as the "common Chinese person" in text & sentences. Ranking 沈 as 14th during the Song dynasty was given by prominence of the family and not the numerical count of members of the family at that time. 沈 is romanised as Sum, Sem, Sam, Sham, or Shum in Cantonese; Sim in Hokkien & Teochew; Shim(심) in Hakka and in Korean; and Thẩm/Trầm in Vietnamese. The family name can also be written as "Shin" or "Sin" as well.
Geographic Distribution
The first name Barbara is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:
Popularity Over Time
Popularity of the name Barbara by decade, based on birth registration data:
Notable People Named Barbara Shen
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 Shen:
Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.
Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.
Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.
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 Shen?
- The surname Shen originates from Vietnamese. Shěn is the Mandarin Hanyu pinyin romanization of the Chinese surname 沈. Shen is the 14th surname in the Song-era Hundred Family Surnames also colloquially known as the "common Chinese person" in text & sentences. Ranking 沈 as 14th during the Song dynasty was given by prominence of the family and not the numerical count of members of the family at that time. 沈 is romanised as Sum, Sem, Sam, Sham, or Shum in Cantonese; Sim in Hokkien & Teochew; Shim(심) in Hakka and in Korean; and Thẩm/Trầm in Vietnamese. The family name can also be written as "Shin" or "Sin" as well.
- What are the origins of the name Barbara Shen?
- The name Barbara Shen combines two different traditions: the first name Barbara has Greek roots, while the surname Shen originates from Vietnamese.