Deb Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Deb is a short form of the Hebrew name Deborah, meaning 'bee'. It evolved from Deborah through various forms and gained popularity as a standalone name in the 20th century. The name is associated with traits of warmth and reliability, and it has biblical relevance through the figure of Deborah, a notable leader in ancient Israel.
The name Deb is most popular in Michigan, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Deb has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Deb' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1223rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7405th out of 19264 names. Discover how the name 'Deb' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Deb"
Pronunciation
/dɛb/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Deb is often considered a short form of Deborah, which means 'bee' in Hebrew. Deborah is a prominent biblical figure known for her wisdom and leadership.
Meaning
bee
Language Evolution
Deborah, Debora, Deb
Biblical Background
Deborah was a prophetess and a judge in ancient Israel, known for her role in leading the Israelites to victory against the Canaanites.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in English-speaking countries in the 20th century, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, as a standalone name.
Variants & Derivatives
Debbie, Debra
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Deb is seen as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with warmth and reliability.
Famous People
Debbie Reynolds, Debbie Harry, Debra Messing
Explore More Deb Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Deb"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Deb"
"Deb" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1223rd of 12526 | 1,362 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 7405th of 19264 | 88 |
Regional Popularity of "Deb" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Deb" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
27.35% 609th/2227 |
45.80% 1113th/2430 |
- |
77.01% 2137th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
73.24% 2151st/2937 |
100.00% 3483rd/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Deb"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Deb" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.