Girl · 54th of 12,526
Debbie
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
188,263
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1959
Peak Popularity Year
19,590
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Debbie stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Debbie is a diminutive of the Hebrew name Deborah, meaning 'bee.' It evolved from Deborah to Debbie in English, reflecting a trend of creating affectionate forms of names. The name is associated with biblical significance through the figure of Deborah, a leader in the Hebrew Bible. While popular in the mid-20th century, its usage has waned in contemporary times.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdɛbi/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah, which originates from the Hebrew word 'דְּבוֹרָה' (D'vorah) meaning 'bee.'
Meaning
bee
Language Evolution
Deborah, Debora, Debbie
Biblical Background
Debbie is derived from Deborah, a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible who was a prophetess and a leader of Israel.
Historical Usage
The name Debbie gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the mid-20th century as a common diminutive for Deborah.
Variants & Derivatives
Deb, Debra, Debbie
Modern Popularity & Image
Debbie is often perceived as a friendly and approachable name, though its popularity has declined in recent years.
Famous People
Debbie Reynolds, Debbie Harry, Debbie Gibson
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 19,590 peak births in 1959
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Wyoming
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 13 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1913th of 7552 | 327 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3976th of 10718 | 108 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2473rd of 9107 | 228 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1054th of 9204 | 902 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 54th of 12526 | 148,613 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 149th of 19264 | 32,351 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 728th of 27321 | 4,268 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2599th of 35406 | 1,030 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 5007th of 30306 | 318 |