What is Barney Stinson's full first name?

Barney Stinson's full first name is Barnabus.

Barney is one of the central characters in How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris throughout the show's 2005–2014 run. He is usually known simply as Barney, with nicknames including “The Barnacle” and “Swarley.” His formal first name is a deliberately comic detail that fits the character's exaggerated confidence and theatrical personality.

The name is sometimes confused with Barnaby, Bernard, or Bartholomew because those names sound similarly old-fashioned. None is Barney's canonical first name. Barney's family history is also unusually complicated: he was raised by Loretta Stinson, later learned more about his biological father Jerome Whittaker, and has several half-siblings.

The character is best known for suits, elaborate dating “plays,” laser tag, magic tricks, and catchphrases such as “Suit up!” and “Legendary.” Despite his initially shallow image, later seasons give him more serious family and romantic storylines.