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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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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cobrakaieaglefang · 26/12/2025 21:47

It will come back soon enough, those saying no might remember that not long ago it was unthinkable to use Ruby, Edith, Olive and Florence, my teacher friend has come across all of them.
Eventually the Clare, Judith, Jennifer, Carol, Julie, Tracey and Sharon's will be back.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 26/12/2025 21:43

I quite like it but I really don't like Debbie, which may be inevitable

IsadoraQuagmire · 26/12/2025 21:42

It's a beautiful name

Carerofhedgehog · 26/12/2025 21:40

Best left in the past, it’s not a classic.

Sunshineofyourlove · 26/12/2025 21:37

Love it, and it is due a renaissance. It means "bee" in Hebrew, which makes me love it all the more.

wannanamechange · 26/12/2025 21:35

I’ve never liked it and I’d definitely describe it as dated rather than classic. Classic names, to me, would be Sarah, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Hannah, Katherine, Naomi, Eleanor, Harriet, Emily, Emma.

ChikinLikin · 26/12/2025 21:30

Beautiful name with some beautiful owners:
Deborah Kerr
Debbie Harry
Debra Winger
It deserves a resurgence.

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 26/12/2025 21:24

I love it but then I would!! Nobody ever calls me Debbie and yes, a name that was last popular many decades ago but if you love it go for it!

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 26/12/2025 21:15

I thought of Deborah Harry of Blondie, not Disco 2000.

Debbie Harry is an amazing lady, so go for it, with the usual caveats about making sure that her initials don't spell a word.

RandomUsernameHere · 26/12/2025 21:13

It’s quite a nice name but it definitely makes me think of someone over the age of 40.

Laiste · 26/12/2025 21:08

Two of my DDs (20 somethings) have MILs called Deborah!

I don't think it's old enough to be old and quaint yet. IYSWIM? It's not gone yet to be revived. It's just old fashioned.

DramaAlpaca · 26/12/2025 21:06

It's an underused biblical classic and I really like it. I just don't like the diminutives, unfortunately.

isyouready · 26/12/2025 21:03

Wishimaywishimight · 26/12/2025 19:03

People calling it trashy, horrible etc might try and remember that women with this name are reading the thread. It may not be to your taste but there is no need to be quite so blunt 😆

This

BDenergy · 26/12/2025 20:58

IsThisLifeNow · 26/12/2025 19:21

Your name was Deborah (Deborah)
It never suited ya

Cannot think of anything other than Disco 2000 by Pulp, so a no from me I'm afraid

Was also coming to say this! It’s all I’d sing to her if OP was my friend. 😄

littlebilliie · 26/12/2025 20:55

It’s a lovely old name

delightful1 · 26/12/2025 20:53

Not classic to me- very dated! Sorry OP!

Nickisli1 · 26/12/2025 20:46

I don't like it sorry - 70/80's and it feels dated. But my daughter also has an unusual name so i say go for it if you love it

RubyBirdy · 26/12/2025 20:43

I love Debbie, really cute.

ChikinLikin · 26/12/2025 20:26

I love it.

Mydadsbirthday · 26/12/2025 20:21

I think it's strong and classic and I like OT names but I really don't like Debbie!

Wingingitbestican · 26/12/2025 20:18

Debbie is my best friends name - late 40’s. She is known as Debs.!Although it wouldn’t be a name I’d choose for a baby - I didn’t realise so many people hated it this much . It’s a bit dated sure but there are definitely worse names

Lararoft · 26/12/2025 20:13

Had quite a few classmates (I’m 49) with this name, all known as Debbie. Plus some much older colleagues.
My view of the name is coloured by the (sometimes not that nice in a few cases!) personalities of the various Debbie’s!
I went to school 80s - early 90s. As well as Debbie’s we often had:

Nicola
Kelly
Emma
Sarah
Claire
Rachel
Michelle
Catherine / Katherine / Katie
Laura
Louise
Sally

CNDflag · 26/12/2025 20:01

I’ve always liked the name Deborah

cloudbusting12 · 26/12/2025 19:51

I think this name will have a resurgence soon. My mums name I think it’s beautiful

OrangeAxolotyl · 26/12/2025 19:42

mathanxiety · 26/12/2025 19:35

Lovely name. Sounds refreshingly original to me in a sea of Florences, Olives, Ediths, and all the rest of the currently popular granny chic names.

Esme, Ivy, Violet...yes, quite a different vibe.

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