onomasti
4
Dec

Barbara

A form of Varvara

Varvara, in English

the Great Martyr Barbara — kept on 4 December.

It keeps the same day as the name it comes from — everything below is that name’s.

Origin

The story of Varvara

Varvara keeps 4 Decemberthe Great Martyr Barbara.

An unexpected root: Βαρβάρα is βάρβαρος“foreign, non-Greek,” the word Greeks used for those whose speech they could not follow.

“Foreign, non-Greek.”

onomasti · Varvara

Key facts

Varvara at a glance

Name day
4 December
This year · 2026
Friday, 4 December
Next year · 2027
Saturday, 4 December
Meaning
Βαρβάρα — “foreign, non-Greek”
Patron of
the Great Martyr Barbara

Variations

Forms & nicknames of the name

One name takes many forms — the formal, the everyday, the affectionate, and the spellings that travelled abroad. Each has its own page here, and all share the same day.

Greek forms

English & romanised

Varvara you are hereBarbara

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