The apostles nicknamed him Barnabas — son of consolation, or encouragement — and he lived up to it. When the newly converted Saul was feared and shunned, it was Barnabas who took him and vouched for him to the apostles. When young Mark failed and Paul wrote him off, it was Barnabas who gave him a second chance.
A generous man who sold his land for the church, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, Barnabas is the patron of everyone who builds others up. The whole New Testament is different because one man chose to encourage rather than discard.
Barnabas is a distinctive, warm-hearted name, increasingly chosen for its beautiful meaning.
Variants & nicknames
Barney, Barnaby
Barnabas in the Bible
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,