Dera
A girl's name of Irish origin with 440 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
genitive plural of Dere
Dera is a girl's baby name of Irish origin, a short form of Deirdre or a diminutive of names like Derosa, meaning 'broken-hearted' (from Irish mythology) or used as a simple, affectionate short form. It may also relate to the Hebrew Devorah.
Dera is a name of pure simplicity — two syllables, soft and warm. Whether derived from Gaelic mythology or used as an affectionate diminutive, it carries a personal, intimate quality that belongs to a small circle of names too rare for mainstream use but too lovely to be forgotten.
EtymologyShow more
Though Dera dates back to 1893 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Irish classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 440 recorded births, Dera has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Dera has 59+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1893.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 15 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 31 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 35 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 12 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 41 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 53 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 38 | — |
| 1930s | 42 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 71 | — |
| 1910s | 71 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 21 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 10 | — |
The Story of Dera
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1915, Dera is a name steeped in history. Girls named Dera are most likely born between 1905 and 1925.
How rare is Dera?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Dera is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1893, peaked in the 1910s with 71 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Dera by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Dera per day would take 1.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(59 years, 1893–2009)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 5 | #18038 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9568 |
| 1999 | 8 | #10613 |
| 1998 | 5 | #14764 |
| 1994 | 7 | #10868 |
| 1992 | 6 | #12171 |
| 1991 | 5 | #13728 |
| 1989 | 8 | #8959 |
| 1988 | 7 | #9523 |
| 1981 | 5 | #10820 |
| 1980 | 15 | #4789 |
| 1977 | 7 | #7740 |
| 1975 | 5 | #9431 |
| 1969 | 5 | #7746 |
| 1967 | 6 | #6207 |
| 1965 | 7 | #5411 |
| 1964 | 6 | #6180 |
| 1963 | 5 | #6830 |
| 1961 | 6 | #5997 |
| 1960 | 6 | #5863 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dera a boy's or girl's name?
When was Dera most popular?
How popular is the name Dera?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1893–2009