Deborah
Deborah is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Bee.
Origin and history
Deborah is a classic biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning 'bee'. It was extremely popular in the United States during the mid-20th century, peaking in the 1950s. Today, it remains a well-known traditional choice, though its contemporary usage has become far less frequent.
Popularity in the United States
742,820 babies in the United States have been named Deborah since 1880. It ranks #32 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #860.
States where it is most popular
- NY (9.2 %)
- CA (7.7 %)
- PA (6.8 %)
- OH (6.4 %)
- IL (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 143 |
| 1890-1900 | 183 |
| 1900-1910 | 226 |
| 1910-1920 | 651 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,070 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,808 |
| 1940-1950 | 44,054 |
| 1950-1960 | 430,537 |
| 1960-1970 | 183,439 |
| 1970-1980 | 47,855 |
| 1980-1990 | 14,783 |
| 1990-2000 | 7,574 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,284 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,429 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,784 |
Famous people named Deborah
- Deborah Kerr: Actress
- Deborah Harry: Singer, Songwriter
- Deborah Vance: Fictional Character
Nicknames
Deb, Debbie, Debby
Fun facts
- Deborah is the only female judge mentioned in the Bible, featured in the Book of Judges.
- Deborah ranked among the top 10 most popular girls' names in the U.S. throughout the 1950s.