Barnaby is a distinctive boys' name in United States, ranking #9996 in 2024 with 7 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2014 with 10 births ranking #7612. In 2024, approximately 1 in every 245,045 boys born was named Barnaby. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Barnaby is an old English form of Barnabas and is usually explained as meaning "son of consolation" or "son of encouragement". It feels warm, bookish, and distinctly traditional.
The name has biblical roots but developed its own English life, especially in medieval and later literary use. In modern Britain it has a gentle vintage charm rather than a heavy religious feel.