Barrie – Name Meaning
The name Barrie is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Old French word “barri”, meaning “pointed hill”. It is also a variant of the name Barry, which has its roots in the Gaelic language and means “spear” or “axe”. The name Barrie is most commonly used as a given name for boys, but it can also be used as a surname.
History
The name Barrie has been around since at least the 12th century when it was first recorded in Scotland. It was popularized by Sir Walter Scott’s novel The Bride of Lammermoor, which featured a character named Barrie. The name has also been associated with the famous Scottish playwright J.M. Barrie, who wrote Peter Pan.
Popularity
Barrie is not a particularly common name in the United States, ranking only #1,845 on the Social Security Administration’s list of most popular baby names in 2019. However, it is more popular in other countries such as Canada and Australia, where it ranks #717 and #1,068 respectively.
Famous People Named Barrie
Some famous people who have borne the name Barrie include:
- J.M. Barrie (1860-1937), Scottish playwright and novelist best known for writing Peter Pan.
- Barrie Chase (born 1933), American actress and dancer.
- Barrie Ingham (1932-2015), English actor.
- Barrie Rutter (born 1945), English actor and theatre director.
