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Delilah
Pronounced deh-LY-luh /dɪˈlaɪlə/High
Meaning: Delicate, weak; or possibly 'night' — from Hebrew DelilahMedium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Delilah comes from the Hebrew Delilah, variously interpreted as meaning delicate, weak, or possibly related to the word for night. In the Book of Judges, Delilah is the Philistine woman who discovers the source of Samson's strength (his hair) and betrays him to his enemies. Despite this, the name's flowing, musical sound made it impossible to fully abandon.
Delilah was used occasionally in the English-speaking world through the 18th and 19th centuries, but remained rare due to its Biblical stigma. In the 21st century the stigma has faded, and the name climbed into the U.S. top 100 around 2010 and the top 50 by the 2020s. The Tom Jones hit 'Delilah' (1968) also kept it culturally present.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Delilah (Judges 16) (Biblical era)Philistine woman in the Book of Judges who was paid to discover the source of Samson's strength.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Delilah mean?
Delilah is a Hebrew name meaning 'delicate' or 'weak,' and possibly related to 'night' — its exact etymology is uncertain.
How do you pronounce Delilah?
It's said deh-LY-luh /dɪˈlaɪlə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.
Is Delilah a boy or girl name?
Delilah is used exclusively as a girls' name.
How popular is Delilah?
Delilah entered the U.S. top 50 girls' names around 2020, having climbed steadily since the 2010s.