The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Debra!

Comments and insights on the name Debra: | Edit

Beware of the fact that the word 'bra' is in the name. Fodder for 13-year-old boys to make jokes.

Personal experiences with the name Debra: | Edit

I preferred to be called Debbie when I was younger in school, rather than Debra. Now that I am older I still like when people say Debbie, but now I like to see my name appear as Debra.

Nicknames for Debra: | Edit

Deb, Debbie

Meanings and history of the name Debra: | Edit

From the Hebrew, D'vorah, meaning bee.

Famous real-life people named Debra: | Edit

Debra Messing, American actress ("Will and Grace")
Debra Winger, actress
Debra Pagett, actress
Debbie Reynolds, actress
Deborah Kerr, actress
Deborah Raffin, actress
Debbie Harry, singer
Debra Wilson, actress and comedienne

Debra in song, story & screen: | Edit

Deborah was a prophetess and the fourth, and the only female, Judge of pre-monarchic Israel in the Old Testament (Tanakh). Her story is told twice, in chapters 4 and 5 of Judges.
Deborah is the name of the nurse of Rebeccah (Genesis 35:8). She is first mentioned by name in the Torah when she dies in a place called Alon Bachot, and is buried by Jacob, who is returning with his large family to Canaan.