Is Deborah a boy's or girl's name?

Deborah is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 1,658 recorded births.

When was Deborah most popular?

Deborah reached its peak popularity in 1954 with 54,675 births that year. It is currently ranked #852 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Deborah?

Deborah is currently ranked #852 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 742,504 babies since 1880.

Deborah

A familiar Hebrew name with steady appeal.

Girl's name| Also boysHebrewRising fast Also a pet name

#852▲ 116in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A judge of Israel.

Deborah is a girl's and boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'bee.' In the Book of Judges, Deborah was a prophet and military leader — one of the few women in the Bible to hold both roles simultaneously, making her name a symbol of wisdom and courage.

Deborah flourished in the mid-20th century, ranking in the top 5 throughout the 1950s and early 60s. Actress Deborah Kerr and musician Debbie Harry (born Deborah) represent the name's range: refined on one end, rock and roll on the other. The full form feels ready for reappraisal as vintage names cycle back into favor.

Compare Deborah with another name

Popularity Over Time

Deborah was #640 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #852, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Deborah
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,469	#909	▼
2010s	3,428	#802	▼
2000s	4,284	#660	▼
1990s	7,575	#370	▼
1980s	14,783	#193	▼
1970s	47,856	#77	▼
1960s	183,432	#16	▼
1950s	430,541	#5	▲
1940s	44,055	#161	▲
1930s	2,808	#400	▲
1920s	1,070	#718	▲
1910s	651	#758	▲
1900s	226	#766	▲
1890s	183	#728	▲
1880s	143	#579	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Deborah
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	316	#852	+49 (18.4%)
2023	267	#968	-34 (-11.3%)
2022	301	#910	+6 (2.0%)
2021	295	#910	+5 (1.7%)
2020	290	#905	-6 (-2.0%)
2019	296	#900	-53 (-15.2%)
2018	349	#781	-8 (-2.2%)
2017	357	#772	+8 (2.3%)
2016	349	#821	-1 (-0.3%)
2015	350	#804	-23 (-6.2%)
2014	373	#752	+43 (13.0%)
2013	330	#815	-7 (-2.1%)
2012	337	#793	+5 (1.5%)
2011	332	#811	-23 (-6.5%)
2010	355	#774	+9 (2.6%)
2009	346	#817	-10 (-2.8%)
2008	356	#808	-16 (-4.3%)
2007	372	#777	-53 (-12.5%)
2006	425	#672	0
2005	425	#653	-2 (-0.5%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Deborah as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Deborah has also been given to 1,658 boys in the U.S. since 1939.

Unranked

Current rank

1,658

Total births

1955

Peak year

Compare Deborah as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Deborah be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Deborah is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #852. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Deborah has two lives

Deborah, the baby name

#852girls

742,504 babies

Currently viewing

Deborah, the pet name

#9485pet name

6 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology