Modern Barrhaven was established in the 1960s, one of a group of new suburbs built across the Greenbelt from the main city of Ottawa. Building in the area was begun by Mel Barr, for whom the community is named. Barr had originally purchased a 200 acre farm intending to construct a horse racing track. However the Rideau Carleton Raceway was built further to the east, and Barr instead decided to build a new suburban subdivision.
It was called Barrhaven, from the term "Barr's haven".
