Barbara derived from Greek βαρβαρος (barbaros) meaning "foreign". According to legend, Saint Barbara was a young woman killed by her father Dioscorus, who was then killed by a bolt of lightning. She is the patron of architects, geologists, stonemasons and artillerymen. Because of her renown, the name came into general use in the Christian world in the Middle Ages.
Saintly namesake: Saint Barbara was an early Christian martyr, honored as the patron saint of firefighters and those who work with explosives. She is one of several saints named Barbara. (December 4 · 4th century)
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