'barbara' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'barbaros', where the root 'barbar-' imitated speech ('bar-bar') and meant 'foreign' or 'non-Greek'.

'barbara' changed from Greek 'barbaros' into Latin 'barbarus' and later was adopted as the feminine proper name 'Barbara' in medieval and modern usage.

Initially, it meant 'foreign' or 'barbarian', but over time it evolved into its current primary use as a female given name.