In Kanji

Barbara

Here are 5 ways Barbara could be written. Japanese has thousands of characters, and several can carry the same sound — so a name can be written more than one way, and each way means something different. Here is what each one actually says.

Yes, you can buy it

Barbara in kanji, on a hoodie, tee, mug or sticker

Pick any of the versions below — the kind ones or the dark ones — and it goes on the item you choose. Printed in the US when you order.

Make Barbara and put it on something →

Giving this to Barbara?

Ceramic mug, 11oz $19.99 or 15oz $24.99. Free shipping within the US. Dishwasher & microwave safe. Printed to order in the USA.

Barbara's Kanji Guide (printable PDF)Send this to Barbara ✉Tattoo stencil (PDF) — $19
葉天華蘭バ・ア・バ・ラ
Good meaning
葉
バ

Literal meaning

leaf

Good meaning
天
ア

Literal meaning

the sky, and heaven

Good meaning
華
バ

Literal meaning

splendour

Good meaning
蘭
ラ

Literal meaning

orchid

Good meaning
蛮荒葉乱バ・ア・バ・ラ
Dark meaning
蛮
バ

Literal meaning

wild, unruly

Dark meaningStrong
荒
ア

Literal meaning

wild, untamed

Neutral meaningStrong
葉
バ

Literal meaning

leaf

Good meaning
乱
ラ

Literal meaning

disorder

Dark meaningStrong
蛮鴉罰落バ・ア・バ・ラ
Dark meaning
蛮
バ

Literal meaning

wild, unruly

Dark meaningStrong
鴉
ア

Literal meaning

a crow

Dark meaning
罰
バ

Literal meaning

punishment

Dark meaning
落
ラ

Literal meaning

to fall

Dark meaning
馬亜婆羅バ・ア・バ・ラ
Neutral meaning
馬
バ

Literal meaning

horse

Neutral meaning
亜
ア

Literal meaning

second, and Asia

Neutral meaning
婆
バ

Literal meaning

an elderly woman

Neutral meaning

Usage note: Also used for its sound in Buddhist words. Its ordinary association with an elderly woman still matters in a name.

羅
ラ

Literal meaning

fine woven silk

Neutral meaning
華空馬良バ・ア・バ・ラ
Neutral meaning
華
バ

Literal meaning

splendour

Good meaning
空
ア

Literal meaning

sky

Good meaning
馬
バ

Literal meaning

horse

Neutral meaning
良
ラ

Literal meaning

good, fine

Good meaning

Another meaning

Want Barbara to say something else?

The same sounds can be written with other characters — kinder ones, darker ones. Swap any of them until it says what you want, then put it on a hoodie, a tee, a mug or a sticker.

Build Barbara yourself →