Debra is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "bees." It is derived from the Hebrew word "d'vora," which means "bee." In ancient times, bees were seen as symbols of industriousness and diligence, reflecting the hard work and determination that was valued in those days.
The name Debra first appeared in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Judges. In this story, Deborah was a prophetess who judged Israel under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel. She played an important role in rallying her people against their enemies, demonstrating courage and wisdom during times of crisis.
Over time, the name Debra has been adopted by various cultures around the world. In some regions, it may be spelled differently such as Debrah or Devorah to reflect variations in pronunciation or transliteration from the original Hebrew form.
Today, Debra continues to be a popular choice among parents seeking unique yet meaningful names for their daughters. As a name with deep historical roots and a significant biblical figure associated with it, Debra carries an air of strength and resilience that may appeal to those looking for powerful feminine monikers.
The name Debra has seen a significant shift in popularity over the past century in the United States. The first recorded birth of a girl named Debra was in 1914, with only five such births that year. The number fluctuated slightly for the next decade or so, ranging from five to eleven births per year.
However, starting in the late 1930s and early 1940s, there was a notable increase in the popularity of the name Debra. In 1944, there were 219 births, which was a significant jump from previous years. This trend continued into the 1950s, with the peak year being 1953, when there were 36,855 births.
Interestingly, between 1954 and 1957, Debra was consistently in the top five most popular names for girls in the United States. However, as time went on, its popularity began to wane once again. By the late 1960s, there were fewer than ten thousand births of girls named Debra per year.
The decline continued into the 1970s and 1980s, with fewer than five thousand births per year recorded during this time period. This trend has continued into recent years, with only thirty births of girls named Debra recorded in 2023.
Overall, while the name Debra was once quite popular in the United States, its popularity has waned significantly over the past few decades. However, it is still a name that has been given to over half a million children since records began being kept in the early twentieth century.