Debra

Debra

See My Baby Name List
Table of Contents
1. Debra name meaning and origin
2. Debra name popularity
3. Variations and nicknames of Debra
4. Best name combinations with Debra
5. Numerology of Debra name
6. Debra name in pop culture
7. Famous people named Debra
8. Names similar to Debra

1. Debra name meaning and origin

Debra is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Biblical name 'Deborah' (דְּבוֹרָה). The name means 'bee' or 'honeybee' in Hebrew, symbolizing industriousness and community. In the Old Testament, Deborah was a respected prophetess and judge who led the Israelites to victory over their Canaanite oppressors.

The name Debra gained significant popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s when it ranked among the top ten girls' names. It represents a slightly modernized spelling variation of the traditional Deborah, offering a more contemporary feel while maintaining its rich historical and biblical connections.

2. Debra name popularity

Girl
Boy
#0
in 2023
0
from 2022
Popularity of Debra
United States
United Kingdom

Debra is predominantly a feminine name in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Though records show it has occasionally been used for males in the US, this usage is quite rare. The name gained recognition in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century, likely derived from the Hebrew name Deborah, which means "bee."

Despite its historical presence, Debra does not currently rank among the most popular names in either country. Its peak popularity in the US occurred during the 1950s and 1960s, but it has gradually declined since then. Today, Debra represents a classic name choice that carries a sense of elegance and familiarity without being overly common.

3. Variations and nicknames of Debra

The name Debra has rich biblical origins, stemming from the Hebrew name Devorah, meaning 'bee.' While Debra represents the most common American spelling, several variants exist across different cultures and languages. Deborah remains the traditional biblical spelling, while Debora is popular in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking countries. The French often prefer Débora with an accent, and the Hebrew original Devorah or Dvorah maintains cultural significance in Jewish communities. Less common variants include Debbra, Debrah, and the simplified Debbie as a standalone given name. Each spelling carries the same essential meaning but allows families to connect with different cultural or religious traditions while maintaining the name's identity.

The versatility of Debra extends to its many affectionate nicknames. The diminutive Debbie ranks as the most widespread and recognized nickname, achieving independent popularity during the mid-20th century. Deb serves as a sleek, modern shortening that gained prominence in professional settings. Other playful derivatives include Debs, Debsy, and the endearing Debbie-Do. Some families choose more creative options like Bra, DeeDee, or even Honey Bee – a nod to the name's original meaning. Interestingly, across different generations, nickname preferences have shifted, with Debbie dominating the 1950s-70s while contemporary Debras might prefer the more mature Deb or their full name in professional contexts. The wealth of options allows each Debra to customize her identity through different life stages, from playful childhood nicknames to more distinguished forms for adulthood.

4. Best name combinations with Debra

Middle names that pair well with Debra:

  • Debra Mae
  • Debra Claire
  • Debra Elizabeth
  • Debra Louise
  • Debra Anne
  • Debra Michelle
  • Debra Grace
  • Debra Catherine
  • Debra Sophia
  • Debra Nicole
  • Debra Marie
  • Debra Elise
  • Debra Victoria
  • Debra Joanne
  • Debra Renée
  • Debra Camille
  • Debra Therese
  • Debra Celeste
  • Debra Josephine
  • Debra Danielle

Names that go well when Debra is used as a middle name:

  • Alexandra Debra
  • Charlotte Debra
  • Olivia Debra
  • Isabella Debra
  • Amelia Debra
  • Victoria Debra
  • Eleanor Debra
  • Katherine Debra
  • Madeline Debra
  • Caroline Debra
  • Genevieve Debra
  • Vivienne Debra
  • Juliette Debra
  • Margaret Debra
  • Abigail Debra
  • Elizabeth Debra
  • Penelope Debra
  • Beatrice Debra
  • Sophia Debra
  • Evangeline Debra

5. Numerology of Debra name

Destiny Number (Expression Number):

4
D(4) + E(5) + B(2) + R(9) + A(1) = 21 = 2+1 = 4

The Destiny Number 4 indicates a practical, organized, and methodical nature. You're a natural builder with strong foundations and exceptional work ethic. In careers, you excel in structured environments requiring attention to detail and reliability—fields like accounting, engineering, management, or administration. In relationships, you offer stability and loyalty, though you may need to work on flexibility and expressing emotions more openly.

Soul Urge Number (Heart's Desire Number):

5
Vowels: E(5) + A(1) = 6

With a Soul Urge Number 6, your inner desire centers around harmony, responsibility, and nurturing. You deeply value family and community, finding fulfillment in caring for others. You seek balance in all things and are driven by a need to create beauty and comfort in your environment. In relationships, you're loving and supportive, sometimes taking on too much responsibility for others' happiness.

Personality Number:

8
Consonants: D(4) + B(2) + R(9) = 15 = 1+5 = 6

Your Personality Number 8 projects an image of authority, ambition, and efficiency. Others perceive you as capable, practical, and business-minded. You present yourself as someone who can manage resources effectively and achieve material success. In professional settings, you naturally command respect, while in personal relationships, you may come across as determined but fair-minded.

Note: This numerology analysis is just for fun and entertainment purposes. It is not meant to be taken seriously or as a reflection of one’s true personality or destiny. No offense is intended.

6. Debra name in pop culture

Name
Description
Debra Morgan
Sister of the titular character in the Showtime TV series 'Dexter', portrayed by Jennifer Carpenter
Debbie Novotny
Character in the Showtime TV series 'Queer as Folk', portrayed by Sharon Gless
Debra Barone
Character in the CBS sitcom 'Everybody Loves Raymond', portrayed by Patricia Heaton
Debbie Dingle
Long-running character in the British soap opera 'Emmerdale', portrayed by Charley Webb
Deborah (Debbie) Harry
Lead singer of the rock band Blondie, known for hits like 'Heart of Glass' and 'Call Me'

7. Famous people named Debra

Name
Description
Debra Messing
American actress best known for her role as Grace Adler in the NBC sitcom 'Will & Grace', for which she received six Emmy Award nominations
Debra Winger
Academy Award-nominated American actress known for her roles in 'Terms of Endearment', 'An Officer and a Gentleman', and 'Shadowlands'
Debra Morgan
Fictional character from the TV series 'Dexter', portrayed by Jennifer Carpenter, who served as a Miami police detective
Debra Jo Rupp
American actress known for playing Kitty Forman on 'That '70s Show' and more recently in 'WandaVision' and 'That '90s Show'
Debra Wilson
American actress and comedian best known as a cast member on 'MADtv' and for her voice acting work in various animated series and video games
Debra Monk
Tony and Emmy Award-winning American actress, singer, and writer known for her Broadway performances and roles in 'NYPD Blue' and 'Grey's Anatomy'
Debra Paget
American actress who appeared in several Hollywood films in the 1950s, including Cecil B. DeMille's 'The Ten Commandments'
Deb Haaland
American politician serving as the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, the first Native American Cabinet secretary in U.S. history
Debra Harry
American singer-songwriter and actress, best known as the lead vocalist of the new wave band Blondie
Debra Lafave
Former American teacher who gained notoriety in 2004 for having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student, becoming a media sensation

8. Names similar to Debra

Baby Name Generator

Generate a perfect name for your baby

Our Baby Name Generator helps you find the perfect name, sorted by gender, letter, meaning, and more. You don't need to fill out every field, just the ones you're interested in.

I'm looking for
  • Boy
  • Girl
  • Both
names with the
, starting with
and ending with
with
syllables.
I like names that mean
and are
  • Any theme
  • Biblical
  • Classic
  • Color-inspired
  • Cool and creative
  • Disney characters
  • Elegant
  • Flowers
  • Gender-neutral
  • Hipster
  • Musical
  • Mythology
  • Nature
  • Old-fashioned
  • Places
  • Popular-namealternatives
  • Shakespeare
  • Short and sweet
  • Southern
  • Uniqu
  • Wild West
names.
Show me names of
  • Any origin
  • African
  • African American
  • American
  • American Indian
  • British
  • Arabic
  • Aramaic
  • Armenian
  • Basque
  • Celtic
  • Chechen
  • Chinese
  • Dutch
  • Egyptian
  • English
  • Eritrean
  • Filipino
  • French
  • Gaelic
  • German
  • Ghanaian
  • Greek
  • Hawaiian
  • Hebrew
  • Hindi
  • Hindu
  • Hungarian
  • Indian
  • Irish
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Latin
  • Maori
  • Muslim
  • Native American
  • Nigerian
  • Persian
  • Polish
  • Polynesian
  • Punjabi
  • Russian
  • Sanskrit
  • Scandinavian
  • Scottish
  • Slavic
  • Spanish
  • Swahili
  • Swedish
  • Teutonic
  • Tongan
  • Turkish
  • Ugandan
  • Vietnamese
  • Welsh
  • Yoruban
Origin.

Search by name

Looking for baby name ideas, advice, meanings, and popularity.

Here are 0 baby name ideas that should work for you and your baby:

Popularity All names
All names
Show top 50
Show top 100
Exclude top 50
Exclude top 100
Sort by Most popular
Most popular
A to Z
Z to A
Table of Contents
1. Debra name meaning and origin
2. Debra name popularity
3. Variations and nicknames of Debra
4. Best name combinations with Debra
5. Numerology of Debra name
6. Debra name in pop culture
7. Famous people named Debra
8. Names similar to Debra