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Help[Opinions] Deborah
i've suddenly started to like this name a lot, though it didn't appeal to me at all before. now taking a second look, i love a few things about it- how it's not frilly or soft sounding like many common women's names; the meaning (which one commenter explained isn't just cutesy, but means to be orderly like a bee, and come from a root meaning "to arrange" or "to speak", and sometimes used in reference to "Divine Word"); and the Biblical character being a prophet.
i'm still a little iffy though. partly because it's such a disliked name nowadays, and even sounds funny to people. also Ray Romano's voice haunts me.
but wdyt of Deborah?
i'm still a little iffy though. partly because it's such a disliked name nowadays, and even sounds funny to people. also Ray Romano's voice haunts me.
but wdyt of Deborah?
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Replies
I like Deborah, because of it's history.
But I dislike Debbie. I've never met a Debbie I like. The nickname Deb, though, is a different story. My doctor and therapist both go by Deb. They are really cool women, intelligent, off-beat and fun. If I were to use Deborah (unlikely) I'd insist on Deborah or Deb. Even so, it's not a name that i cqan really see myself using.
But I dislike Debbie. I've never met a Debbie I like. The nickname Deb, though, is a different story. My doctor and therapist both go by Deb. They are really cool women, intelligent, off-beat and fun. If I were to use Deborah (unlikely) I'd insist on Deborah or Deb. Even so, it's not a name that i cqan really see myself using.
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I actually like Deborah. It is kinda dated, though.
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I like the meaning (I love bees for making honey ;)) but I dislike the two syllable pronunciation of DEB-ra. I only like it pronounced with three syllables. I don't know how realistic that is in an English speaking country, where I live it gets pronounced with three and I like it that way. I dislike Debra.
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I definitely prefer the spelling Deborah over Debra, but I've never really been a fan of the nickname Debbie. I think the Hebrew Devora / Devorah, however, is lovely.
I remember seeing a breakdown a while back of the most common names among female CEOs (I forget where this was, though), and both Deborah and Debra were in the Top 10, separately. Basically, this is the name of strong women.
I remember seeing a breakdown a while back of the most common names among female CEOs (I forget where this was, though), and both Deborah and Debra were in the Top 10, separately. Basically, this is the name of strong women.
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I've never liked it, because of the Debbie image.
If not for that, I would like it more.
And it seems conspicuously Biblical, which isn't my style. It even still seems Jewish to me, especially now that it's not a fad. Although I don't think that Jewishness limits how much names appeal to people generally now, at all - personally I'd hesitate to use a name that I perceive as belonging to any ethnicity I'm not identified with.
I don't care for the bor sound in it, either.
It's really striking how much it was a fad midcentury - I've never even looked at its popularity. There aren't many names that came into fashion and went out so fast, back then.
I agree with queenv that it's going to make a comeback in the US at some point. Probably not for a while - maybe more of the slow comeback where it is hipster for a decade or two, and then gets more popular overall as people see it's OK again.
I think if that does happen, though, it seems more likely to be Devorah, not Deborah.
I think Devorah would sound cooler to people than Deborah.
If not for that, I would like it more.
And it seems conspicuously Biblical, which isn't my style. It even still seems Jewish to me, especially now that it's not a fad. Although I don't think that Jewishness limits how much names appeal to people generally now, at all - personally I'd hesitate to use a name that I perceive as belonging to any ethnicity I'm not identified with.
I don't care for the bor sound in it, either.
It's really striking how much it was a fad midcentury - I've never even looked at its popularity. There aren't many names that came into fashion and went out so fast, back then.
I agree with queenv that it's going to make a comeback in the US at some point. Probably not for a while - maybe more of the slow comeback where it is hipster for a decade or two, and then gets more popular overall as people see it's OK again.
I think if that does happen, though, it seems more likely to be Devorah, not Deborah.
I think Devorah would sound cooler to people than Deborah.
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yeah, i understand the hesitation of using a name (/other things for that matter) that would have you perceived as an ethnicity you're not. that prevents me from considering some names. my SO is Jewish though, and I myself am looking into the religion for myself, and if I don't end up choosing Judaism in the future, it would probably still be an Abrahamic religion. so while that's no guarantee i would use a Biblical name in the end, i do like them.
i think Deborah/Debbie would make a comeback because of Debbie Reynolds, actually- there are so many Carrie Fisher fans who also love her.
Devorah is a cool name, though the correct pronunciation is apparently different than it looks? The one listed in a comment is not something I'm able to say.
i think Deborah/Debbie would make a comeback because of Debbie Reynolds, actually- there are so many Carrie Fisher fans who also love her.
Devorah is a cool name, though the correct pronunciation is apparently different than it looks? The one listed in a comment is not something I'm able to say.
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I think I remember a Jewish friend pronouncing it duhVORa, with the VOR like or or oar with a v tacked on. So it's just the stress that moves to the middle syllable, apart from the b-to-v shift, which makes sense when you think of all the Slavic speakers using Varvara.
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oh, that's how i read it! thank you.
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I agree worth your notes on the name itself. I didn't know one growing up, but currently work with several, nine of whom I really like. All have personality quirks I'd rather not associate with a name. However, they are all old enough to be my mother. So, maybe seeing it on a fresh face would be ok?
All that aside, the sound doesn't do much for me, not do the nn. Just kind of meh
All that aside, the sound doesn't do much for me, not do the nn. Just kind of meh
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If Deborah is such a disliked name, it's a prime example of a name that's disliked only because it's dated. People hear it, think "Mom/Grandma", don't think any further, and dislike it. The way I automatically disliked Hazel when I was in my teens and twenties.
I love Deborah. I'm not good at coming up with words to describe why I like a name. I just love the way Deborah looks and sounds. But I wouldn't have used it because I wouldn't have wanted my daughter to have a dated name all of her life.
I think Deborah is a dated name we can say with certainty will come back some day.
I hate the spelling Debra, and that was just as popular as Deborah back in the name's heyday. Let's hope that doesn't come back.
I love Deborah. I'm not good at coming up with words to describe why I like a name. I just love the way Deborah looks and sounds. But I wouldn't have used it because I wouldn't have wanted my daughter to have a dated name all of her life.
I think Deborah is a dated name we can say with certainty will come back some day.
I hate the spelling Debra, and that was just as popular as Deborah back in the name's heyday. Let's hope that doesn't come back.
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oh, definitely. i also noticed that dated women's names get so much more flack than dated men's names- "nerdy old man" or maybe "grumpy old man" vs "ugly woman woman with terrible clothing".
i'd still be hesitant though to use a name that's so widely disliked, even if it's for a minor reason like sounding dated (i'm still hesitant about using Irene as a full time name for myself irl part for that reason). i think enough time has passed though that it might look a little hip nowadays- it'll definitely be coming back. if i do ever use it, hopefully it's right before that, so i'll be a trendsetter lol.
i'd still be hesitant though to use a name that's so widely disliked, even if it's for a minor reason like sounding dated (i'm still hesitant about using Irene as a full time name for myself irl part for that reason). i think enough time has passed though that it might look a little hip nowadays- it'll definitely be coming back. if i do ever use it, hopefully it's right before that, so i'll be a trendsetter lol.
This message was edited 3/15/2018, 3:49 PM
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I totally agree.
I've never heard anyone belittle Deborah. It's just that it was so common at one time that people grew tired of it (as happens with most dated names). Practically everyone knows someone with this name. I had an older cousin named Deborah Jean. I didn't know her very well since she was quite a bit older, but she was beautiful and my impression of Deborah has always been strongly influenced by my cousin.
While I can't say that I love the name, it's certainly not awful. OTOH, I especially dislike Debbie and Deb which are unattractive to my way of thinking. Oh, and I'm with you on the Debra spelling. I understand how it came about, however, why anyone would think putting 'bra' into a woman's name was a good idea is beyond me. ;-) Whenever I see it, I automatically pronounce it in my head with the emphasis on 'bra.' It just looks so unfortunate.
I've never heard anyone belittle Deborah. It's just that it was so common at one time that people grew tired of it (as happens with most dated names). Practically everyone knows someone with this name. I had an older cousin named Deborah Jean. I didn't know her very well since she was quite a bit older, but she was beautiful and my impression of Deborah has always been strongly influenced by my cousin.
While I can't say that I love the name, it's certainly not awful. OTOH, I especially dislike Debbie and Deb which are unattractive to my way of thinking. Oh, and I'm with you on the Debra spelling. I understand how it came about, however, why anyone would think putting 'bra' into a woman's name was a good idea is beyond me. ;-) Whenever I see it, I automatically pronounce it in my head with the emphasis on 'bra.' It just looks so unfortunate.
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I dislike it because of the associations I have with it, which is why I dislike/like most names. Occasionally, I'll hate a name based purely on sounds (Lucas for example) but it's unusual.
Deborah/Debra was the name of several moms I knew growing up. They all reminded me of Rosanne Connor, though they were less funny/endearing and a lot meaner. So this has pretty much ruined the name for me.
Deborah/Debra was the name of several moms I knew growing up. They all reminded me of Rosanne Connor, though they were less funny/endearing and a lot meaner. So this has pretty much ruined the name for me.
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It's an excellent name with two big problems.
One is Debby, or Debbie, or - shudder! - Debbi. They should all go away at their owner's 5th birthday party and never come back; but they don't. For this reason, it's preferable to use Deborah as a mn unless you're unusually strong-minded.
The other is Debra. I really cannot find a good word to say about it: it always launches dark fantasies about a family of sisters: Debra, and then Depanty, Deslip, Decamisole and finally (named after their great-aunt) Decorset.
One is Debby, or Debbie, or - shudder! - Debbi. They should all go away at their owner's 5th birthday party and never come back; but they don't. For this reason, it's preferable to use Deborah as a mn unless you're unusually strong-minded.
The other is Debra. I really cannot find a good word to say about it: it always launches dark fantasies about a family of sisters: Debra, and then Depanty, Deslip, Decamisole and finally (named after their great-aunt) Decorset.
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i actually like Debbie. there was a very kind neighbor called that when i was a kid who told stories about her parrots and cats, and who drove me to school a few times in her car that was covered with punk memorabilia on the inside (w/ a lot of curse words that was cool to 13 year old me). it also reminds me of Debbie Reynolds and Debbie Harrie. and a cartoon character i loved as a kid.
yeah though Debra is a very unattractive spelling but..i'd rather not think about those sisters lol.
yeah though Debra is a very unattractive spelling but..i'd rather not think about those sisters lol.
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LOL!
I love the names of the family of sisters. ;-)
I love the names of the family of sisters. ;-)
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Love it.
I really love it. Deborah is a classic that is due for a comeback. The meaning is good and the history is even better, imo.
I really love it. Deborah is a classic that is due for a comeback. The meaning is good and the history is even better, imo.
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Deborah also used to not particularly appeal to me either, but over the last few years I've grown to really like it. It's an older style name (obviously - it's biblical) that is usually seen on older women or as a middle name being used to honor a family member, but it does still pop up now and again - the actress Deborah Ann Woll for example. I love the sound of it and enjoy hearing it said.
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