Find out how popular the first name Debbie has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Debbie by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Debbie is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Debbie being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 29 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Debbie.

The history of the first name Debbie

The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah, which has Hebrew origins. Deborah is derived from the Hebrew word "devorah," meaning "bee." The name first appeared in the Old Testament of the Bible, where Deborah was a prophetess and the fourth judge of pre-monarchic Israel.

Deborah's story is recounted in the Book of Judges, chapters 4 and 5. She played a crucial role in leading the Israelites to victory against the Canaanites, alongside Barak, the army commander. The biblical account portrays Deborah as a wise and influential woman, highly respected for her leadership and prophetic abilities.

The earliest recorded use of the name Debbie as a diminutive form of Deborah dates back to the late 19th century. It gained popularity in the early 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Debbie. One of the earliest recorded is Debbie Reynolds (1932-2016), an American actress, singer, and dancer who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s. She starred in numerous films, including "Singin' in the Rain" and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown."

Another famous Debbie is Debbie Harry (born 1945), an American singer-songwriter and actress. She is best known as the lead vocalist of the influential punk rock/new wave band Blondie, known for hits like "Heart of Glass" and "Call Me."

Debbie Allen (born 1950) is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, and director. She has received numerous accolades for her work, including Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. Allen is also renowned for her work as a director and producer on various television shows.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (born 1966) is an American politician who served as the Chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2011 to 2016. She has been a member of the United States House of Representatives since 2005, representing Florida's 23rd congressional district.

Debbie Clemens (born 1960) is an American former softball player who represented the United States at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics. She was a member of the gold medal-winning team in 1996 and the silver medal-winning team in 2000.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Debbie was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Debbie, please contact us.

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