Girl · 7th of 12,526
Deborah
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
744,162
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1954
Peak Popularity Year
54,755
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Deborah stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Deborah has Hebrew origins, meaning 'bee'. It evolved through various forms, including Latin and English, maintaining its strong biblical significance. The name embodies traits of leadership and wisdom, linked to the biblical figure who was a prophetess and judge. It has remained popular in modern times, often associated with strong female figures.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdɛb.ər.ə/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Deborah comes from the Hebrew word 'דְבוֹרָה' (D'vorah), which means 'bee'.
Meaning
bee
Language Evolution
Deborah (Hebrew), Debora (Latin), Deborah (English)
Biblical Background
Deborah is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, known as a prophetess and the only female judge of Israel. She played a significant role in leading the Israelites during a time of oppression.
Historical Usage
The name Deborah gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Protestant Reformation as biblical names became more widely adopted.
Variants & Derivatives
Debora, Debbie, Deb
Modern Popularity & Image
Deborah is perceived as a strong and classic name, associated with leadership and wisdom due to its biblical roots.
Famous People
Deborah Harry - American singer and actress, Deborah Kerr - British actress, Deborah Meaden - British entrepreneur and television personality
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
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 54,755 peak births in 1954
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in District of Columbia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 18 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 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 5372nd of 6773 | 17 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 958th of 7552 | 1,149 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1734th of 10718 | 428 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7696th of 16616 | 64 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 759th of 9107 | 1,630 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 301st of 9204 | 8,392 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 7th of 12526 | 581,917 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 38th of 19264 | 120,612 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 244th of 27321 | 18,704 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 639th of 35406 | 7,024 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 841st of 30306 | 3,873 |