Debra

Pronunciation: [ d-EHBR-uh ]

Girl Name #3,576 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A vintage classic rooted in the great prophetess of Israel

English American Jewish

Vintage Classic Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"bee"

Origin: Hebrew D'vorah

Language: Hebrew

"to speak kindly, to order"

Origin: Semitic root dbr

Language: Hebrew

The Story of Debra

Debra is an Americanized spelling of Deborah, the Hebrew name דְּבוֹרָה (D'vorah) meaning 'bee.' In Hebrew tradition the bee symbolizes hard work, community, and the ability to communicate sweetly. Deborah in the Hebrew Bible was a prophetess and judge — one of the most powerful women in the Old Testament — who led Israel's armies to victory.

Debra/Deborah was a top-10 American baby name from the 1950s through the 1970s, part of the great mid-century name wave including Barbara, Linda, and Susan. The Americanized Debra spelling was preferred over Deborah through the 1960s.

Deborah is a heroic figure in the Hebrew Bible — a judge, prophetess, and military leader. She is one of the few women in the Bible who exercised public authority equal to men, making Debra a name with deep feminist historical resonance.

Fun Facts

Deborah was a prophetess and the only female judge mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (Book of Judges)
Debra peaked as #6 in the US in 1955 — it was one of the defining names of the postwar baby boom

Debra in Other Languages

French Débora

German Debora

Hebrew דְּבוֹרָה

Italian Debora

Spanish Débora

Famous People Named Debra

Debra Messing

Actor

1968

Emmy Award-winning American actress best known for Will & Grace

Debra Winger

Actor

1955

American actress known for An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), nominated for three Academy Awards

Deborah

Religious

Biblical prophetess and judge of Israel, the only female judge in the Hebrew Bible, who led armies to victory

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #3,576
Total SSA Count: 43
Cultural Origins: English American Jewish
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Deb Debbie Debby

Pairs Well With

Debra Ann Debra Lynn Debra Marie Debra Jean Debra Kay Debra Lee Debra Sue

Sibling Names

Susan Patricia Linda Barbara Karen Michael Gary

Also a Boy Name

Debra is also used as a boy name, ranked #39224.

View Debra as a boy name →

Similar Names

Rebecca Keturah Zipporah Debora Devora Devorah Debanhi

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Debra

What does the name Debra mean?

"bee" (from Hebrew D'vorah). "to speak kindly, to order" (from Semitic root dbr). Debra is an Americanized spelling of Deborah, the Hebrew name דְּבוֹרָה (D'vorah) meaning 'bee.' In Hebrew tradition the bee symbolizes hard work, community, and the ability to communicate sweetly. Deborah in the Hebrew Bible was a prophetess and judge — one of the most powerful women in the Old Testament — who led Israel's armies to victory.

What is the origin of the name Debra?

Debra has Hebrew D'vorah, Semitic root dbr, English, American, and Jewish origins. In Hebrew D'vorah, it means "bee". In Semitic root dbr, it means "to speak kindly, to order".

Is Debra a boy or girl name?

Debra is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3576. As a boy name, it is ranked #39224. Debra is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Debra?

Debra is pronounced d-EHBR-uh.

How popular is the name Debra?

Debra is currently ranked #3576 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Debra?

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

What are good middle names for Debra?

Popular middle name pairings include Debra Ann, Debra Lynn, Debra Marie, Debra Jean, Debra Kay, Debra Lee, and Debra Sue.

What are good sibling names for Debra?

Names that pair well with Debra as siblings include Susan, Patricia, Linda, Barbara, Karen, Michael, and Gary.

How many syllables does Debra have?

Debra has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Debra a common or rare name?

Debra is an uncommon name, ranked #3576 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Debra

Debra is a girl name with English, American, and Jewish origins . The name means "bee" in Hebrew D'vorah .

Is Debra a boy or girl name? Debra is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,576 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #39,224. Debra is more commonly used as a girl name.

Debra is currently ranked #3,576 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Debra has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-EHBR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

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