The administrative centre of the small, urban municipality was called Barbu as well.

[3] Today, the name Barbu refers to the village-like place located in head of the Galtesundet strait within the town of Arendal.

Barbu is also a parish (sogn) in the Arendal prosti (deanery) within the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.

[1] Originally, Barbu was a part of the municipality of Østre Moland that was created on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law).

[4] The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Barbu farm (Old Norse: Berubú).