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Name at a glance

Barnabas

Barnabas is a New Testament name traditionally explained as son of encouragement.

Ranked #3669 in the 2025 SSA records, stable over the past 5 years.

Barnabas is remembered in Acts as a generous, encouraging early Christian leader and missionary companion of Paul.

Browse names
OriginAramaic, Greek
GenderBoy
FeelEncouraging
PronunciationBAR-nuh-bus

Is Barnabas biblical?

Yes

Biblical status Direct biblical person

Barnabas is a named person in Scripture, the early Christian leader and missionary companion of Paul in Acts.

Is Barnabas a Christian name?

Yes

Christian tradition Foundational, across traditions

Barnabas is established as an apostolic figure and saint honored across Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican tradition as founder of the Cypriot church.

Plain answer

Barnabas is a biblical name from Acts, an early apostolic leader honored as a saint across major Christian traditions.

Confidence Moderate Last reviewed July 19, 2026 How this works

Meaning

The meaning of Barnabas

Acts explains Barnabas as son of encouragement or son of consolation. The meaning is unusually important because it matches the character of the man as he appears in the early church.

Acts

The encourager of the early church

Barnabas first appears in Acts as a generous believer who sells land and gives the proceeds for the community. He later helps welcome Saul when others are afraid of him.

That gives Barnabas a strong Christian identity: encouragement that is practical, generous, and willing to believe in another person's transformation.

Mission

Barnabas and Paul

Barnabas becomes a missionary companion of Paul. Their partnership matters deeply in Acts, even though it later includes conflict over John Mark.

For naming, Barnabas feels rare but rich. It is not a light name, but it carries one of the warmest meanings in the New Testament.

Sound

How to pronounce Barnabas

Phonetic
BAR-nuh-bus
IPA
/ˈbɑɹnəbəs/

3 syllables · stress: BAR-nuh-bus · ends in a consonant

Forms

Variants and nicknames

Alternate spellings

  • Barnaby
  • Barnabe
  • Barnabus

Short forms and nicknames

  • Barney

Languages

Barnabas in other languages

Greek
ΒαρνάβαςBarnabas
Latin
Barnabas
Spanish
Bernabé
French
Barnabé
German
Barnabas
Italian
Barnaba
Portuguese
Barnabé
Russian
ВарнаваVarnava
Arabic
بَرْنَابَاBarnaba

Christian background

Christian and biblical background

Barnabas has Christian depth through generosity, encouragement, advocacy, and mission. The name is especially attractive for families who want a virtue-like biblical name.

Scripture

The biblical figure

Barnabas is an early Christian leader in Acts, a companion of Paul, and a figure associated with encouragement.

Bearers

Notable people named Barnabas

  • biblical

    Barnabas the ApostleEarly Christian missionary, companion of Paul on the first journey in Acts, traditionally founder of the Cypriot Church

  • historical

    Barnaby RudgeTitle character of Charles Dickens's 1841 novel set during the Gordon Riots

  • modern

    Barnabas CollinsVampire protagonist of the Gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, 1966 to 1971

Saint

Saint Barnabas the Apostle

Traditions
Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican
Patron of
Cyprus, against hailstorms, peacemakers

Tradition holds that Barnabas was martyred on Cyprus, where he is honored as the founder of the Cypriot church. His relics were reportedly found at Salamis with a copy of the Gospel of Matthew on his chest.

Naming history

Naming tradition and history

Barnabas is less common than Paul, Peter, or Matthew, but Barnaby has been more approachable in English use. The full form remains strongly biblical.

Recent US use

Barnabas in recent US use

Rank in 2025
#3669
Peak rank
#2882 in 1969
Recent trend
stable over the last 5 years
Years in the SSA records
61 (since 1920)

Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.

Sibling fit

Sibling name suggestions

Pairings

Names paired with Barnabas

  • Paulmissionary companion

    Barnabas brings the converted Saul into the Jerusalem church and accompanies Paul on the first missionary journey in Acts 13-14.

For families

For families looking at Barnabas

For a Christian family, Barnabas offers a distinctive name with a generous meaning. It may suit parents who value encouragement, hospitality, and mission.

Common questions

What does Barnabas mean?

Barnabas is traditionally explained as son of encouragement or son of consolation.

Is Barnabas a biblical name?

Yes. Barnabas appears in Acts as an early Christian leader.

Is Barnaby related to Barnabas?

Yes. Barnaby is an English form related to Barnabas.

Sources

Sources for Barnabas

  • A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and GingrichSupports: Greek etymology; son of encouragement or consolation.
  • The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, David Hugh Farmer (5th edition)Supports: Saint Barnabas the Apostle; companion of Paul, founder of the Cypriot church; feast day (June 11).

Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.

Read next

Related names

PaulBarnabas' missionary companion on the first journey through Cyprus and Asia Minor (Acts 13).MarkBarnabas' cousin (Colossians 4:10); the disagreement over Mark led Barnabas to part from Paul and take Mark with him (Acts 15:36-40).SilasPaul's replacement for Barnabas after the Mark split; Silas continued the second missionary journey while Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus.