Debby Girl
Origin(s)
PronunciationDEB-ee / /ˈdɛbi/Hebrew; English
Meaning
Hebrew: bee; English: diminutive of Deborah
Historical & Cultural Background
Debby is often considered a diminutive form of the name Deborah, which has roots in Hebrew. The name Deborah appears in the Bible as a prophetess and judge. In English-speaking countries, Debby gained popularity in the mid-20th century as a standalone name. It reflects a trend of using diminutive forms as given names.
Trend Summary
Debby experienced a peak in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s in the United States.
Similar Names
Variants
- Debbie
- Deb
International Variants
- Debora (Italian)
- Débora (Spanish)
- Déborah (French)
Famous people named Debby
Debby Ryan is an American actress and singer known for her role in Disney Channel's 'Jessie'.
Debby Boone is an American singer and actress, famous for her hit song 'You Light Up My Life'.
Debby Harry is an American singer and actress, best known as the lead vocalist of the band Blondie.
Debby Applegate is an American author and historian, recognized for her Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Henry Ward Beecher.
Fictional characters named Debby
Debby is a character in the animated series 'The Magic School Bus', known for her adventurous spirit.
Debby is a character in the book series 'The Baby-Sitters Club', portrayed as a caring and responsible babysitter.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Debby was first seen in the United States in 1923. Debby has ranked as high as #551 nationally, which occurred in 1959, and has been most popular in California, New York, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan. In the past 5 years the name Debby has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Debby (1996)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1923 | 5 |
| 1929 | 7 |
| 1930 | 5 |
| 1931 | 7 |
| 1932 | 12 |
| 1933 | 11 |
| 1934 | 5 |
| 1935 | 6 |
| 1936 | 15 |
| 1937 | 10 |
| 1938 | 11 |
| 1939 | 14 |
| 1940 | 7 |
| 1941 | 14 |
| 1942 | 29 |
| 1943 | 26 |
| 1944 | 28 |
| 1945 | 36 |
| 1946 | 75 |
| 1947 | 125 |
| 1948 | 207 |
| 1949 | 203 |
| 1950 | 212 |
| 1951 | 233 |
| 1952 | 244 |
| 1953 | 277 |
| 1954 | 303 |
| 1955 | 384 |
| 1956 | 461 |
| 1957 | 661 |
| 1958 | 795 |
| 1959 | 890 |
| 1960 | 669 |
| 1961 | 590 |
| 1962 | 502 |
| 1963 | 433 |
| 1964 | 332 |
| 1965 | 262 |
| 1966 | 183 |
| 1967 | 157 |
| 1968 | 120 |
| 1969 | 106 |
| 1970 | 110 |
| 1971 | 87 |
| 1972 | 60 |
| 1973 | 64 |
| 1974 | 52 |
| 1975 | 38 |
| 1976 | 27 |
| 1977 | 38 |
| 1978 | 44 |
| 1979 | 44 |
| 1980 | 33 |
| 1981 | 35 |
| 1982 | 26 |
| 1983 | 21 |
| 1984 | 25 |
| 1985 | 21 |
| 1986 | 15 |
| 1987 | 14 |
| 1988 | 11 |
| 1989 | 15 |
| 1990 | 18 |
| 1991 | 17 |
| 1992 | 15 |
| 1993 | 15 |
| 1994 | 10 |
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 1997 | 10 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1999 | 10 |
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 8 |