A biblical name, particularly associated with Saint Barnabas, an early Christian apostle and companion of Paul in the New Testament.
From Aramaic 'Bar-Naba,' meaning 'son of encouragement' or 'son of consolation.' The name appears in the Acts of the Apostles and was borne by the Cypriot Jew who became an influential early Christian missionary.
Barnabas was Paul's best friend and peacemaker in early Christianity, but his name is less famous—yet 'Barnabas' literally means 'Son of Encouragement,' which tells us ancient cultures embedded personality traits into names themselves.
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