Deborah

Pronunciation: [ d-EHB-er-uh ]

Girl Name #851 Most Popular Steady 3 Syllables

A biblical warrior queen with mid-century charm

English American Jewish Christian

Vintage Classic Strong Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"bee"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"industrious, eloquent one"

Origin: symbolic Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

Things to Know About This Name

Strongly associated with the Baby Boomer generation, which may feel dated to some younger parents

The Story of Deborah

Deborah comes from the Hebrew דְּבוֹרָה (Devorah), meaning 'bee.' In the ancient world, bees symbolized wisdom, industry, eloquence, and sweetness — making the name a compliment to a woman of intellect and productivity. The bee's associations with community and hard work made Deborah an aspirational name in biblical times, and the image of the industrious bee elevated the name beyond mere nature-naming.

Deborah was one of the most popular American girl names of the 1950s and 1960s, part of a cohort that included Linda, Susan, and Carol. Its peak was around 1955-1965 when it ranked in the US top 5. Today it reads as distinctly retro, though with vintage names cycling back into fashion, Deborah may eventually follow Dorothy into trendy revival territory.

In the Bible, Deborah was a prophetess and the only female judge of Israel, leading her people to military victory against the Canaanites. Her Song of Deborah in Judges 5 is one of the oldest surviving Hebrew poems and a rare example of a woman's victory celebrated in ancient scripture. She represents female leadership in a patriarchal world.

Fun Facts

Deborah was the only female judge among the twelve judges of ancient Israel described in the Book of Judges
The bee was the royal symbol of ancient Egypt and Napoleon's France — the name shares its central symbol with two of history's most powerful empires

Deborah in Other Languages

French Déborah

Hebrew דְּבוֹרָה (Devorah)

Italian Debora

Spanish Débora

Portuguese Débora

Famous People Named Deborah

Deborah Meaden

Business

1959

British entrepreneur and investor, best known as a long-running dragon on BBC's Dragons' Den

Debbie Harry

Musician

1945

Lead singer of Blondie and punk/new wave icon, known for Heart of Glass, Call Me, and defining an era of New York City c...

Lead singer of Blondie and punk/new wave icon, known for Heart of Glass, Call Me, and defining an era of New York City cool

Deborah Kerr

Actor

1921

Scottish-British actress nominated six times for the Academy Award, best known for The King and I and the beach scene in...

Scottish-British actress nominated six times for the Academy Award, best known for The King and I and the beach scene in From Here to Eternity

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #851
Total SSA Count: 316
Cultural Origins: English American Jewish Christian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Debora #2115

Common Nicknames

Deb Debbie Debby

Pairs Well With

Deborah Anne Deborah Jean Deborah Lynn Deborah Kay Deborah Sue Deborah Ruth Deborah Lee

Sibling Names

Sharon Linda Carol Nancy Gary Thomas Judith Sandra

Also a Boy Name

Deborah is also used as a boy name, ranked #30621.

View Deborah as a boy name →

Similar Names

Celia Cordelia Dorothea Delta Delina Dahlia Adalia Dalia

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Deborah

What does the name Deborah mean?

"bee" (from Hebrew). "industrious, eloquent one" (from symbolic Hebrew). Deborah comes from the Hebrew דְּבוֹרָה (Devorah), meaning 'bee.' In the ancient world, bees symbolized wisdom, industry, eloquence, and sweetness — making the name a compliment to a woman of intellect and productivity. The bee's associations with community and hard work made Deborah an aspirational name in biblical times, and the image of the industrious bee elevated the name beyond mere nature-naming.

What is the origin of the name Deborah?

Deborah has Hebrew, symbolic Hebrew, English, American, Jewish, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "bee". In symbolic Hebrew, it means "industrious, eloquent one".

Is Deborah a boy or girl name?

Deborah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #851. As a boy name, it is ranked #30621. Deborah is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Deborah?

Deborah is pronounced d-EHB-er-uh.

How popular is the name Deborah?

Deborah is currently ranked #851 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Deborah?

Common nicknames for Deborah include Deb, Debbie, and Debby.

What are good middle names for Deborah?

Popular middle name pairings include Deborah Anne, Deborah Jean, Deborah Lynn, Deborah Kay, Deborah Sue, Deborah Ruth, and Deborah Lee.

What are good sibling names for Deborah?

Names that pair well with Deborah as siblings include Sharon, Linda, Carol, Nancy, Gary, Thomas, Judith, and Sandra.

How many syllables does Deborah have?

Deborah has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Deborah a common or rare name?

Deborah is moderately common, ranked #851 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Deborah

Deborah is a girl name with English, American, Jewish, and Christian origins . The name means "bee" in Hebrew .

Is Deborah a boy or girl name? Deborah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #851 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #30,621. Deborah is more commonly used as a girl name.

Deborah is currently ranked #851 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Deborah has 3 syllables and is pronounced d-EHB-er-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Deborah include Deb, Debbie, and Debby. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Deborah include Debora . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.