Girl · 11th of 12,526
Debra
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
551,809
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1955
Peak Popularity Year
50,635
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Debra 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
Debra originates from Hebrew, meaning 'bee', and has evolved from D'vorah through Latin forms. The name has biblical significance as it relates to Deborah, a prominent figure in the Bible. While it was widely used in the mid-20th century, its popularity has waned in modern times. Variants of the name include Debbie and Deborah, and it is associated with a classic feminine image.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdɛbrə/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Debra is derived from the Hebrew name 'D'vorah', which means 'bee'.
Meaning
bee
Language Evolution
D'vorah (Hebrew), Debora (Latin), Debra (Modern English)
Biblical Background
The name Debra is associated with the biblical figure Deborah, a prophetess and judge in Israel.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States.
Variants & Derivatives
Debbie, Deb, Deborah
Modern Popularity & Image
Debra is often perceived as a classic and feminine name, though it has seen a decline in popularity in recent years.
Famous People
Debra Messing, Debra Winger, Debra Morgan
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 50,635 peak births in 1955
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 10 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 8 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 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1119th of 7552 | 852 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2363rd of 10718 | 264 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 10179th of 16616 | 31 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3742nd of 9107 | 106 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 849th of 9204 | 1,313 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 11th of 12526 | 448,106 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 61st of 19264 | 87,787 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 375th of 27321 | 10,786 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1606th of 35406 | 2,023 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3489th of 30306 | 541 |