Delilah
Delilah Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
deh-LY-lah
Meaning of Delilah: Delilah is a Hebrew name most commonly derived from the root dalal, meaning "to weaken" or "languish." An alternative etymology connects it to the Arabic word for "guide" or "flirt." The dual possibilities reflect the name's complex character in its scriptural context.
In the Old Testament, Delilah betrays Samson to the Philistines by discovering the secret of his strength — his uncut hair. Judges 16 presents one of the most dramatic narratives in the Hebrew Bible, making Delilah one of its most recognizable female figures. See etymology records.
The name carried strongly negative connotations for most of its history in English-speaking cultures, associated with treachery and seduction. This stigma kept it out of common use through the 19th and early 20th centuries, when names with morally ambiguous biblical associations were generally avoided.
What Does Delilah Mean? Origin & Etymology
A rehabilitation began through popular music. Tom Jones' 1968 hit "Delilah" reframed the name favorably. The Plain White T's 2006 song "Hey There Delilah" reached number 1 on the US charts and further shifted the name toward romantic rather than cautionary associations. Track at SSA Baby Names.
In the United States, Delilah entered the SSA top 100 in 2012 and has continued climbing. SSA records places it at rank 50 in 2024 with 4,240 births, a historically high position for a name that spent most of the 20th century entirely outside mainstream American use.
The name's transformation from a byword for betrayal to a top-50 given name illustrates how musical reframing can rehabilitate names across generations. Similar trajectories have occurred with Lilith (now in the top 1000), which also bears a complex biblical and mythological background.
How Popular Is Delilah?
Numerology & Symbolism of Delilah
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Delilah – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Delilah
What does Delilah mean?
Delilah means delicate or weakened, from Hebrew dalal (to hang loosely, be low). In Judges 16, Delilah betrayed Samson by discovering the source of his strength. The name’s sound now outweighs its story.
What is the origin of Delilah?
Delilah derives from biblical Hebrew. Historically avoided due to Samson’s betrayal, its musical three-syllable sound drove a US revival after 2005. Tom Jones’ Delilah (1968) kept it in cultural memory.
How popular is Delilah in the US?
Delilah ranks 50 for girls in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It entered the top 100 in 2010 and the top 50 in 2019. This represents one of the greatest naming rehabilitations in modern US history.
What are variants of Delilah?
Variants include Delila (alternate spelling), Delyla, and Dalila (Spanish/Italian). The shortened form Lila ranks separately in the US girls’ top 100.
Is Delilah more popular for girls or boys?
Delilah is given almost exclusively to girls. It ranks 50 for girls in the US in 2024 and does not appear in the top 1000 boys’ names.
Delilah – Name Variants & Spellings
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Dalilah | Arabic-influenced |
| Delyla | English variant |
| Delila | Hebrew variant |
| Dalila | Spanish/Italian/Portuguese |