Surname Bare - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bare: What does the surname Bare mean?
The surname Bare is of English origin and derives from the Middle English term "bar," which meant boar. It was likely used as a nickname in medieval times for someone who bore a supposed resemblance to a boar in terms of their characteristics or habits. Alternatively, it may also have been an occupational name for someone who hunted boars.
Additionally, there are also German and Swiss iterations of the Bare name. In Swiss, "Bare" or "Baer" could be a topographic name for someone who lived in a place frequented by bears, alternatively, it could be a metonymic occupational name for someone who worked with bear products, like skins or hides. In both cases, the name indicates a connection to the nature.
Every surname has a history tied to cultural, regional or occupational affiliations which get passed down generations. It's always interesting to note that these names carry part of our lineage and history. Remember that the meaning or origin of a surname can reveal only a piece of history associated with it and may not necessarily apply in every case.
Order DNA origin analysisBare: Where does the name Bare come from?
The surname Bare is believed to have a German origin. It derived from the old German word "bera," which means "bear." The surname may have been a nickname or a toponymic surname for those who lived in a place known for bears. It could also be an occupational surname for a keeper of bears or a person who behaved like a bear.
Today, the surname is common in the United States, where it was carried over by German immigrants. According to the 2010 United States Census, Bare is the 4809th most common surname in the United States, belonging to over 7000 individuals. Furthermore, it's notably prevalent in Pennsylvania, a state heavily populated by German immigrants. This surname is also found in Germany, although its frequency is less than in the United States. The surname has various variants including Baer, Baehr, Behr, Beer, and Baar. Some famous people with the last name Bare include country music singer Bobby Bare and American actress Gail Davis, born Betty Jeanne Grayson, whose stage name 'Annie Oakley' often used Bare as her character's last name.
Variations of the surname Bare
The surname Bare, of German origin, has several known variants, alternate spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Baer, Bahr, Baar, Baire, Bar, and Barr. Bahr is a topographic name for someone who lived by a swampland or a low-lying area; it’s a Middle High German word for ‘swampland’. Baer has the same topographic origins as Bahr but is specifically a South German variant.
Another spelling variant, Barr, is traditionally a Scottish and Irish derivation stemming from Gaelic ‘barr’ which means ‘height’ or ‘crest’. Although it comes from different roots, it's phonetically similar to Bare.
Baare is a variant primarily used in the Netherlands. The name Beare, mostly used in England, also shares phonetic similarity with Bare. In French, the surname Barre could be considered as a variant.
The surname Barefoot, primarily used in England, has been speculated to be a derivative from the surname Bare, although this connection is not definitive.
There's also the slightly less direct variant, Bareham, which comes from Barham, a place-name surname with several origins across England.
While one cannot be certain that all people bearing these surnames share a common ancestor, the names certainly have overlapping geographical and phonetic origins.
Famous people with the name Bare
- Bobby Bare: An American country music singer and songwriter. He is known for hits like "Detroit City" and "500 Miles Away From Home".
- Bare Jr., also known as Bobby Bare Jr.: An American singer-songwriter and musician. He is the son of Bobby Bare and has been nominated for two Grammy awards.
- Jeanne Bare: A British writer and solo sailor, known for becoming the first woman to sail solo around the world non-stop.
- Christopher Bare: A successful American business executive with experience in leading Fortune 500 companies.
- Trina Bare: Professional golfer who has competed in the LPGA tournament.
- Cherie Bare: Known for her work in the entertainment industry, particularly in costume design for movies and TV shows.
- Jorgen Bare: A Norwegian footballer who played for Norwegian clubs and the national team.
- Michael Bare: A well-known American photographer and filmmaker.
- Rusty Bare: An American comic book artist and cartoonist.
- Randy Bare: A prolific American actor with a career spanning six decades.
- Deanna Bare: An American beauty pageant titleholder, held the title of Miss USA in 1982.
- Justin Bare: An award-winning American filmmaker and photographer.