Deborah Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationDEB-uh-rah / /ˈdɛb.ə.rə/Hebrew; English
Meaning
Hebrew: bee; English: derived from the Hebrew name
Historical & Cultural Background
Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'bee'. It appears in the Bible as the name of a prophetess and judge in Israel. The name has been used in various cultures, particularly in English-speaking countries, since the Protestant Reformation. Its popularity has fluctuated over the centuries, often associated with strong female figures.
Trend Summary
Deborah experienced significant popularity in the mid-20th century but has seen a decline in recent years.
Similar Names
Variants
- Debra
- Debbie
International Variants
- Debora (Italian)
- Débora (Spanish)
- Déborah (French)
Famous people named Deborah
Deborah Sampson was a soldier who disguised herself as a man to fight in the American Revolutionary War.
Deborah Harry is an American singer and actress, best known as the lead vocalist of the band Blondie.
Deborah Meaden is a British businesswoman and television personality, known for her role on the show 'Dragons' Den'.
Deborah Kerr was a Scottish actress who received several Academy Award nominations during her career.
Fictional characters named Deborah
Deborah is a character in the biblical narrative, known for her leadership and wisdom.
Deborah Morgan is a character from the television series 'Dexter', serving as a detective.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Deborah was first seen in the United States in 1939. Deborah has ranked as high as #979 nationally, which occurred in 1955, and has been most popular in New York, California, Ohio, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Deborah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Deborah (1972)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1939 | 6 |
| 1943 | 6 |
| 1944 | 5 |
| 1946 | 10 |
| 1947 | 11 |
| 1948 | 26 |
| 1949 | 28 |
| 1950 | 47 |
| 1951 | 62 |
| 1952 | 94 |
| 1953 | 82 |
| 1954 | 80 |
| 1955 | 100 |
| 1956 | 93 |
| 1957 | 84 |
| 1958 | 77 |
| 1959 | 69 |
| 1960 | 64 |
| 1961 | 56 |
| 1962 | 51 |
| 1963 | 53 |
| 1964 | 62 |
| 1965 | 44 |
| 1966 | 46 |
| 1967 | 50 |
| 1968 | 34 |
| 1969 | 32 |
| 1970 | 28 |
| 1971 | 36 |
| 1972 | 23 |
| 1973 | 30 |
| 1974 | 20 |
| 1975 | 15 |
| 1976 | 17 |
| 1977 | 21 |
| 1978 | 12 |
| 1979 | 13 |
| 1980 | 7 |
| 1981 | 7 |
| 1982 | 9 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 7 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1987 | 7 |
| 1989 | 10 |
| 1990 | 5 |