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Original poster

Is Deborah too dated/old?

115 replies

obieone · 26/12/2025 18:13

Spent this afternoon looking through the baby name book with dh. We both like Deborah as it has the strong feel that we both gravitate towards. I've not heard it used for a while. Is it too dated?

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Giraffehaver · 04/02/2026 22:33

My dh's aunt Deborah is banned from the house. It's a senior delinquent name

unhappy50 · 04/02/2026 18:39

I am a Deborah and hated my name was always a Debbie now I hate the name Debbie so either Deb or Deborah

renthead · 09/01/2026 18:49

Debra is awful but Deborah is beautiful. Agree that Deb is a nice shortening, good for a child and a woman.

TrentCrimmsflowinglocks · 09/01/2026 17:27

I immediately went to the Pulp song too….

amy480 · 09/01/2026 13:34

Very dated to me and quite a harsh sounding name, not helped by the fact that the three I know are in their 60s and very no nonsense. I just can’t imagine it on a young girl.

Zanatdy · 08/01/2026 19:15

Definitely not. Debbie will hopefully die out in the next 20-30yrs.

HelenHywater · 07/01/2026 18:26

Deb is a nice shortening. I know a lovely Deb(orah) who is in her early 70s.

HelenHywater · 07/01/2026 18:25

Deborah is a 60s name. I think it's a lovely name. I liked it for my dd. And Julia too.

I think the 50s/60s names will come back into vogue at some stage.

Neurodiversitydoctor · 07/01/2026 17:27

My MIL born 1945 is Deborah her parents must have been ahead of their time.

Kumquatzest · 07/01/2026 17:14

It's Biblical but its massive popularity in the 1960s-70s does make it seem dated. It would be a granny name for today's kids. The nickname Debbie seems hard to escape too.

SleafordSods · 04/01/2026 15:49

Thistimearound · 04/01/2026 14:59

I’ve just checked, and very much a 60s name!

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I thought so. Gemma is more eighties.

Thistimearound · 04/01/2026 14:59

SleafordSods · 04/01/2026 10:51

I thought it was more popular in the sixties and seventies?

I might be showing my age but I now have Deborah by T-Rex going through my head! Grin

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I’ve just checked, and very much a 60s name!

Is Deborah too dated/old?
Is Deborah too dated/old?
SleafordSods · 04/01/2026 10:56

Gettingbysomehow · 04/01/2026 10:54

I just cant....i was born in 1962 and the 70s were all about "Debbie does Dallas". I just couldn't name my child Deborah. I have several friends with that name and it is always shortened to Debs.

I’d forgotten about Debbie does Dallas!

Moveoverdarlin · 04/01/2026 10:56

Very dated. Awful. I go to a group and out of a class of 18 there are 4 Debs / Debbie / Deborah’s all in their mid sixties. I would put it in the same category as Tracey / Sharon / Mandy not strong like a traditional name but just of its time and popular in the 60s / 70s.

Gettingbysomehow · 04/01/2026 10:54

I just cant....i was born in 1962 and the 70s were all about "Debbie does Dallas". I just couldn't name my child Deborah. I have several friends with that name and it is always shortened to Debs.

BeardedBarley · 04/01/2026 10:52

Dreadful. And it adds the added risk of ‘Debbie’ which is even more awful.

Gentlydoesit2 · 04/01/2026 10:51

Yes

SleafordSods · 04/01/2026 10:51

PollyPlumPeach · 26/12/2025 18:15

Very 80s. Sorry it sounds trashy to me

I thought it was more popular in the sixties and seventies?

I might be showing my age but I now have Deborah by T-Rex going through my head! Grin

Thistimearound · 04/01/2026 08:58

Really surprised people are saying it’s 80s.

80s born children are millennials and called things like Jenny, Kate, Sarah and Becky.

Also, if you love the name, OP, go for it. It’s not “due” a revival for another generation + if you go by the 100 year rule, but waiting for a revival means nothing if you like the name anyway.

Firebird83 · 03/01/2026 21:14

It’s a Biblical name so it’s not dated in the way that some other names of that era are. It would be quite refreshing to hear it on a little girl.

Hesperatum · 02/01/2026 14:31

Deborah, Deb, Debs but never, ever Debbie😂!

Strangerthanfictions · 28/12/2025 05:46

I find it a little 80s and not my vibe but I can see why you'd like it if you strip away it's recent history and look at it stand alone. I grew up with a lot of Debbie's and it just does nothing for me although I like that overall sound Deborah and Debbie, just shows we respond to culture and social influence that makes me think it's not classy (sorry) I know two extremely classy Deborahs tho. I think Rebekah is a bit nicer but still not one I would rush for. I do like classic, in use type names if that makes sense, I don't like unusual newer elaborate names, im on the fence with the ophelia explosion, feel like it's the new Amelia. I do like French or European names though, I like Renee and Sacha for a boy or girl to give you an idea of my taste which you might hate haha I'm hearing a lot of Harriet / Hattie, that's quite nice.

coronafiona · 28/12/2025 05:34

It had Karen vibes for me I’m afraid

Mbmbbb · 27/12/2025 23:33

It sounds nice enough to my ears. Neither too hard nor too wet and floral.

I only know two -one Debra and one Devora (Jewish). Neither are ever called Debs or Debbie

HoorayHattie · 27/12/2025 23:26

I can cope with Deborah, but really wouldn't want it to be shortened to Debbie, Debs or Deb which is what all the Deborah's/Debra's I know get called

Sorry but it wouldn't be in my first 50 choices

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