Why was Barley Lightfoot named Barley in Onward?

[DodgerGirl]

When I first heard of Onward I never figured out why Barley got his name? Because barley is a grain used in food and it seems weird that Disney/Pixar would name a character after a food ingredient and what is surprising is that Ian Lightfoot has a person's name because Ian is Scottish for John. Why couldn't they name Barley something like Elfred or even Elfonse better than being named for a grain used in food?

 

[Karin1984]

Ian is the one the viewer has to identify with, therefore has a more 'normal' name.

Barley is mainly a side character and has a name that fits the universe better. Laurel is a tree, Wilden is a tree, Ian is the odd one out, which is what you want in your main character to give him more reason to go on his quest.
Barley does exist as a name, but more as as a surname.

But this is my guest.

 

[DodgerGirl]

Barley Lightfoot is my crush and I have liked him since hearing about Onward and I thought Barley was named weird but now thanks to you know why he's named Barley. I often wonder if they used Chris Pratt as inspiration for designing Barley because Barley reminds me so much of Chris?

 

[BrianL]

I think it's just one of those fantsay type names, like one a Dungeons & Dragons player might come up with. It suits him I think.

 

[DodgerGirl]

I think it's cool that Disney decided to name Ian's brother after a food ingredient and just hearing the name Barley makes me giggle so hard because every time my dad tries to make me eat hot dogs with the buns I say no because they are made with barley flour and I don't want to be eating my crush and Dad teases me about it. Wilden Lightfoot is named for a tree? I have never seen a wilden tree before so I find it hard to believe that Ian and Barley's father has a tree name. But Barley is truly my sweetheart and I collect anything I can find of him