Barney
Literal root meaning: “growing with barley + island”
About the name Barney
Barney is a boy name with Old English roots, literally “growing with barley + island”.
It has a unique, nature feel. In 2025, Barney ranked #12274 for boys in the US, with 5 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 1953. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Barney were boys.
Etymology
From Old English, meaning “growing with barley” + “island”.
Name meaning adapted from Wiktionary (“Barney”) by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- US rank 2025
- #12274
- In 2015
- #10824
- Babies in 2025
- 5
Popularity of Barney, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
Names similar to Barney
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.