Debby Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Debby is a diminutive form of the Hebrew name Deborah, meaning 'bee'. The name has evolved from Deborah to Debra and then to Debby. It is associated with a biblical figure known for her leadership. Debby is perceived positively in modern culture, and it became popular in the 20th century. Notable people with this name include Debby Ryan and Debby Boone.
The name Debby is most popular in Oregon, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the West 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, Debby has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, 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 South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Debby' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 9107th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2362nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 457th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1263rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4929th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 11820th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 20142nd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Debby' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Debby"
Pronunciation
/ˈdɛbi/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Debby is a diminutive form of the name Deborah, which means 'bee' in Hebrew. The name Deborah is associated with a biblical figure who was a prophetess and leader in Israel.
Meaning
bee
Language Evolution
Deborah, Debra, Debby
Biblical Background
Debby is derived from the biblical name Deborah, who is noted for her wisdom and courage.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a feminine form of Deborah.
Variants & Derivatives
Deborah, Debra, Deb, Debbie
Modern Popularity & Image
Debby is seen as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with warmth and kindness.
Famous People
Debby Ryan, Debby Boone, Debby Harry
Explore More Debby Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Debby"
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 "Debby"
"Debby" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2362nd of 9204 | 243 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 457th of 12526 | 7,596 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1263rd of 19264 | 1,425 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4929th of 27321 | 282 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 11820th of 35406 | 121 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 20142nd of 30306 | 25 |
Regional Popularity of "Debby" 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 "Debby" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
95.76% 1490th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
17.02% 379th/2227 |
20.41% 496th/2430 |
19.00% 542nd/2853 |
14.77% 410th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
40.42% 1187th/2937 |
33.28% 1159th/3483 |
45.91% 1615th/3518 |
29.60% 1197th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
100.00% 4475th/4475 |
91.20% 4737th/5194 |
40.29% 2545th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Debby"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Debby" 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.