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Origin, Meaning, And History of Deborah
Deborah is a feminine name derived from the Hebrew word ‘D’vorah,’ meaning ‘bee.’ Deborah also appears in the Jewish Bible and the Christian Old Testament Book of Judges.
According to the Testament, Deborah or Debora was a charismatic military leader and wife of Lappidoth who led Israel to win a mighty victory against the tyrannical Canaanites. She was a poet, judge, and a heroic prophet who held court under the Palm of Deborah and the Israelites went up to her to get their disputes resolved. Hence, she is a symbol of leadership and breaking hurdles.
Another Deborah mentioned in the Bible was the nurse of Rebecca or Rebekah, sent by Laban to take care of sister Rebekha.
Deborah might sound a bit old-fashioned, but has been a popular name in the US since the 1800s. It’s a Biblical moniker with many cute nicknames, and it blends well with a variety of second names, ranging from classics to more modern options. Deborah can be alternatively spelled as Debra (English), Debbora (Biblical Greek and Biblical Latin), and Débora, Déborah (French). Deb, Debs, Debby, and Debbie are some diminutives of Deborah that appear stylish and cute.
Deborah was one of the most popular baby names in the USA from 1950 to 1970. According to the US Social Security Administration, the name was among the top 10 popular baby names in the 1950s. However, after that the name’s popularity experienced a decline.
Besides being a popular name for babies, Deborah was also used as a name for several fictional characters. Deborah Owens is a fictional character from 2008 American drama film The Secret Life of Bees. She is depicted as Lily’s mother who grew up in Richmond and plays an important role in Lily’s life.
Debra Morgan is a prominent fictional character in Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter book series. On the other hand, Debra Barone is a fictional character in the American television series Everybody Loves Raymond, where she is portrayed as the wife of Ray Barone. Played by Patricia Heaton, the show’s plot revolves around the relationship between Ray and his spouse, Debra.
Deborah
How To Pronounce Deborah?
Famous People With The Name Deborah
- Debra WingerAmerican actress, won the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for the movie Terms of Endearment
- Debbie ArmstrongAmerican alpine ski racer, first women gold medalist in alpine skiing from the US
- Deborah SantanaAmerican social activist for women and the former wife of musician Carlos Santana
- Debra Wong YangFirst Asian-American woman to serve as the as a attorney in the US
- Debbie GibsonAmerican singer-songwriter, actress, was recognized as the Songwriter of the Year by ASCAP, along with Bruce Springsteen in 1989
Deborah On The Popularity Chart
Deborah was a frequently used name during the 1980s. However, since then, it has experienced a consistent decline in popularity. Check out the graph below to see this moniker’s performance over time.
Popularity Over Time
After a steep fall in 1988, Deborah’s popularity increased in 1990, with about 1094 babies per million being given the name. Refer to the graph below for more information.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Deborah’s ranking as a popular name has been dropping since the 1980s when it was ranked among the Top 100 baby names in the US. Go through the graph below for more information.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Deborah
Deborah is a classic name with a musical tone. Here are some names with a similar vibe you may consider.
Names With The Same Meaning As Deborah
Are you fond of names with historical references that share the same meaning as Deborah? Take a glance at the list below for some suggestions.
Name Numerology For Deborah
