Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
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
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
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
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 (18 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 18 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
38.26% 852nd/2227 |
33.33% 810th/2430 |
45.99% 1312th/2853 |
36.72% 1019th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
52.43% 1540th/2937 |
45.02% 1568th/3483 |
- |
55.34% 2238th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
54.24% 768th/1416 |
32.05% 442nd/1379 |
46.83% 1108th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
20.44% 316th/1546 |
10.99% 171st/1556 |
19.25% 453rd/2353 |
22.75% 352nd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
0.36% 8th/2227 |
0.33% 8th/2430 |
0.18% 5th/2853 |
0.32% 9th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
1.46% 43rd/2937 |
0.92% 32nd/3483 |
1.22% 43rd/3518 |
1.06% 43rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
7.25% 267th/3685 |
4.38% 196th/4475 |
4.24% 220th/5194 |
4.26% 269th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
15.80% 724th/4582 |
9.10% 470th/5164 |
8.37% 612th/7313 |
10.53% 786th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
26.43% 1053rd/3984 |
14.33% 643rd/4487 |
11.49% 784th/6822 |
16.68% 1047th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in District of Columbia across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5372nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 958th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1734th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7696th out of 16616 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 759th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 301st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 38th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 244th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 639th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 841st out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.