"bee"
Origin: Hebrew D'vorah
Language: Hebrew
Debra
Pronunciation: [ d-EHBR-uh ]
Does Debra flow with your last name?
A vintage classic rooted in the great prophetess of Israel
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Meaning & Origin
"to speak kindly, to order"
Origin: Semitic root dbr
Language: Hebrew
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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.
Historical Record
Debra first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 544,630 babies have been named Debra in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Debra is past its peak , currently ranked #3,576 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#3,576
Current Rank
Peaked 1956
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Debra
D
Debra Messing
Actor
1968
Emmy Award-winning American actress best known for Will & Grace
D
Debra Winger
Actor
1955
American actress known for An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), nominated for three Academy Awards
D
Deborah
Religious
Biblical prophetess and judge of Israel, the only female judge in the Hebrew Bible, who led armies to victory
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See all →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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Debra
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Debra is also used as a boy name, ranked #39224.
View Debra as a boy name →Similar Names
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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.
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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