'Barneys' (the store name) originates from English, specifically the surname of founder 'Barney Pressman', where 'Barney' was the founder's given name.

'barney' (British slang for a fight) is recorded from mid-20th century and likely comes from the rhyming slang phrase 'Barney Rubble' (from the cartoon character) meaning 'trouble'; the store name 'Barneys' developed independently as a possessive form of the founder's name.

Originally a personal name, 'Barney' later became slang for 'a fight' in British English through rhyming slang; separately, the capitalized form became associated with the department store, giving 'Barneys' a commercial/proper-noun sense.