"bee"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Deborah
Pronunciation: [ d-EHB-er-uh ]
Does Deborah flow with your last name?
A biblical warrior queen with mid-century charm
English
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"industrious, eloquent one"
Origin: symbolic Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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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.
Historical Record
Deborah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 693,368 babies have been named Deborah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Deborah is past its peak , currently ranked #851 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#851
Current Rank
Peaked 1955
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Deborah
D
Deborah Meaden
Business
1959
British entrepreneur and investor, best known as a long-running dragon on BBC's Dragons' Den
D
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
D
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
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Compare Deborah with:
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
Common Nicknames
Deb
Debbie
Debby
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Deborah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Deborah is also used as a boy name, ranked #30621.
View Deborah as a boy name →Similar Names
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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.
What girl names are similar to Deborah?
Are there other spellings for Deborah?
Related spellings include Debora.
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.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis