Debra is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "davar," which means "word." In the Bible, Debra was the name of the prophetess who helped judge Israel and guide her people.
The name Debra has been popular among Jewish families for centuries, but it gained widespread recognition in the United States during the mid-20th century. It was particularly common in the 1950s and 1960s, when it was often spelled Deborah with an "h."
Today, Debra is still a beloved name among many families, both Jewish and non-Jewish alike. It has a strong, confident sound that reflects its powerful biblical origins. Some famous people named Debra include actress Debra Messing, singer-songwriter Debbi Peterson, and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (born Debra). Despite its Hebrew origins, the name Debra is now considered to be of universal appeal and can be found in many cultures around the world.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe trends and patterns regarding the number of babies named Debra born each year in the United States from 1949 to 1984.
The name Debra saw a significant increase in popularity between 1952 and 1954, with birth counts rising from 35 to 87. This represents a substantial jump of over 260% in just two years. However, this trend did not continue beyond 1954.
From the mid-1950s onwards, there was a steady decline in popularity for the name Debra. Between 1955 and 1973, birth counts fell from 75 to 6, which is an approximate decrease of 92%. This indicates that the name became less commonly used over time during this period.
The early 1980s saw a slight resurgence in popularity for Debra, with nine births each year between 1982 and 1983. However, this uptick was short-lived, as birth counts dropped back down to five in 1984.
In total, there were 1146 babies named Debra born in the United States from 1949 to 1984. While the name initially gained popularity during the early-to-mid-1950s, its overall popularity declined over time during this period. Despite a minor increase in popularity during the early 1980s, the name Debra remained relatively uncommon by the end of the period covered by these statistics.