Absa Bank is formally known under its corporate entity name Absa Group Limited, and it has historically traded or operated under other designations depending on the corporate phase and geographical market. During the period when the British banking conglomerate Barclays held a majority controlling equity stake, the overarching African corporate entity was publicly designated as Barclays Africa Group Limited. Additionally, in its domestic South African consumer market, it is frequently referred to simply by its abbreviated trademark name, Absa, alongside legacy brand names originating from its foundational bank mergers.