The name Barak carries a rich history and intriguing sound. This article explores the popularity of the name, its potential meanings, and names that share a similar feel. If you’re considering Barak for your child, or are simply curious about this name, read on to discover everything you need to know.
Barak is a name with Hebrew origins, often interpreted to mean "lightning." It evokes a sense of power, brilliance, and sudden impact. It’s a strong, masculine name that resonates with a sense of purpose and energy. Beyond "lightning," some interpretations also associate Barak with "blessing" or "to kneel," adding layers of depth to its significance.
Barak Name Popularity
How popular is the name Barak? Analyzing historical birth data provides valuable insights.
According to data from SSA.gov, the name Barak has seen fluctuating levels of popularity in the United States. While it was not consistently ranked in the top names throughout the 20th century, it experienced sporadic appearances.
Here’s a snapshot of the name’s rank, number of births, and percentage of births in select years:
| Year | Rank | # Births | % Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910-1976 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1977 | 1,803 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1978-1985 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1986 | 2,276 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1987-1989 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1990 | 2,651 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1991-1992 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1993 | 2,736 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1994 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1995 | 2,359 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1996 | 2,632 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1997-2004 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2005 | 2,783 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2006 | 3,061 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2007-2013 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2014 | 2,956 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2015-2017 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2,947 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 2019-2021 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2022 | 4,175 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 2023 | — | 0 | 0% |
The data suggests that Barak is a relatively uncommon name, which can appeal to parents seeking a unique and distinctive choice for their son.
Names Like Barak
If you find yourself drawn to the sound and feel of Barak, consider these alternatives:
Sound-Alike Names:
- Barek (Arabic, meaning Noble)
- Barrak (African, meaning Lightning; blessing)
- Borak (Arabic, meaning The lightning)
Similar Names:
- Bank (English, meaning Field of beans)
- Bar (Scottish, meaning Poet, one who sings ballads; birch tree meadow; minstrel, singer-poet; the birch tree meadow)
- Baram (Hebrew, meaning The nation’s son)
- Bard (Irish, meaning Minstrel, singer-poet)
- Barde (Scottish, meaning Poet, one who sings ballads; minstrel, singer-poet)
- Bardo (Irish, meaning Minstrel, singer-poet)
- Baret
- Bari (Irish, meaning Fair-haired)
- Baris (Irish, meaning Fair-haired)
- Barna (Greek, meaning Son of consolation)
- Barni (Greek, meaning Son of consolation)
- Barny (Greek, meaning Son of consolation; strong, brave bear)
- Baron (Hebrew, meaning Young warrior)
- Barr (Scottish, meaning Poet, one who sings ballads; minstrel, singer-poet; young warrior; white or fair head)
- Barra (Irish, meaning White or fair head)
- Barrat
- Barrt
- Barry (Irish, meaning Fair-haired)
- Bart (Aramaic, meaning A diminutive form of Bartholomew)
- Barth (Aramaic, meaning Son of Talmai (the farmer))
- Bartt (Aramaic, meaning Son of Talmai (the farmer))
- Baruj (Hebrew, meaning Blessed)
- Berk (Scottish, meaning Birch tree meadow; the birch tree meadow; from the fortified settlement)
- Birk (French, meaning Bright, shining; the birch tree; from the fortified settlement)
- Brad (English, meaning Broad, wide)
- Brae (French, meaning Cry out; borderland)
- Bram (Scottish, meaning Bramble; a thicket of wild gorse; raven)
- Bran (Scottish, meaning Bramble; a thicket of wild gorse; raven)
- Bray (French, meaning Cry out; borderland)
- Brik (English)
- Brok (English, meaning Badger-like)
- Burk (French, meaning From the fortified settlement)
- Byram (English)
- Byran (English, meaning At the byres or barn)
- Darek (German, meaning Power of the tribe)
- Farag (Arabic, meaning To cure)
- Garek (English, meaning Spear-rule)
- Jarek (Slavic, meaning Spring)
- Lark (English, meaning Lark bird)
- Marek (Polish)
- Marik (Polish)
- Mark (Latin, meaning Dedicated to Mars)
- Tarek (Arabic, meaning Evening caller)
- Tarik (Arabic, meaning Evening caller)
- Zarek (Greek, meaning May God protect the king)
These names offer a spectrum of origins, meanings, and sounds, allowing you to explore similar options while finding the perfect fit for your child.
Siblings of Barak
For those curious about sibling names, data suggests that families who choose the name Barak sometimes also choose the name Jaron (Israeli, meaning Cry of rejoicing).
Conclusion
Barak is a distinctive and meaningful name with Hebrew roots, evoking imagery of lightning and strength. While not consistently popular throughout history, its uniqueness can be a major draw for parents. By exploring its meaning, popularity trends, and similar-sounding or related names, you can make an informed decision about whether Barak is the right choice for your son.