Find out how popular the first name Debby has been for the last 43 years (from 1974 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Debby by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Debby is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 8 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Debby.

The history of the first name Debby

Debby is a feminine given name derived from the Hebrew name Deborah, which means "bee" in Hebrew. The name is believed to have its origins in ancient Israel, dating back to the biblical period.

In the Old Testament, Deborah was a prophetess and the fourth Judge of pre-monarchic Israel. She is described as a wise and respected leader who helped lead the Israelites to victory against the Canaanites. Her story is recounted in the Book of Judges, which is considered one of the oldest texts in the Hebrew Bible.

The name Deborah was relatively uncommon in ancient times, but it gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Debby as a diminutive form of Deborah can be found in English records from the 16th century.

Over the centuries, several notable figures have borne the name Debby or its variants. Debby Boone (born 1956) is an American singer and author who achieved fame with her hit single "You Light Up My Life" in 1977. Debby Ryan (born 1993) is an American actress and singer known for her roles in Disney Channel series such as "The Suite Life on Deck" and "Jessie."

Another notable Debby is Debby Stone (born 1958), an American comedian, actress, and writer who has appeared in numerous television shows and films. Debby Krieger (born 1946) is a Mexican-American musician and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for the rock band The Doors.

In the world of sports, Debby Pritchett (born 1949) is a former American tennis player who won two Grand Slam doubles titles and reached the semifinals of the French Open in singles in 1973.

While the name Debby experienced a surge in popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States and parts of Europe, it has since become less common as a given name in recent decades.

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 Debby was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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