"delicate, languishing"
Dalilah
Does Dalilah flow with your last name?
Ancient biblical name reborn with bohemian elegance
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"flirtatious, charming"
"one who weakens or brings low"
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Browse nicknames →Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with the biblical story of betrayal — Delilah cut Samson's hair, costing him his supernatural strength
The Story of Dalilah
Dalilah is a variant spelling of Delilah, a Hebrew name from the Old Testament. The root dalal in Hebrew carries meanings of to hang low or to languish, giving the name connotations of delicacy or gentle frailty. In Arabic, a related form means flirtatious or charming. The alternate spelling Dalilah softens the look while keeping the same romantic sound.
The broader Delilah revival was driven by the Plain White Ts 2006 song Hey There Delilah and the classic Tom Jones recording. Parents seeking a more distinctive spelling adopted Dalilah to differentiate their daughter while keeping the same beautiful sound.
In the Book of Judges, Delilah was the Philistine woman who revealed the source of Samson's strength. Despite her biblical role, the name has been reclaimed as a symbol of feminine power and allure. In Arabic culture, Dalila carries positive connotations of charm and intelligence.
Historical Record
Dalilah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1970.
Over 4,935 babies have been named Dalilah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dalilah is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,051 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The 2006 Plain White Ts song Hey There Delilah sparked a decade-long revival of this name in the United States
- Dalila is the name in multiple opera adaptations of the Samson story, including Saint-Saens Samson et Dalila from 1877
- The name appears across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam with varying interpretations
Dalilah in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dalilah
Dalilah Muhammad
Athlete
1990
American Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2019 World Championships
Delilah
Other
Philistine woman in the Book of Judges who discovered the secret of Samson's strength and betrayed him to the Philistine...
Philistine woman in the Book of Judges who discovered the secret of Samson's strength and betrayed him to the Philistines
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,051
- Total SSA Count
- 238
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Arabic American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dalilah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dalilah
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About the Name Dalilah
Dalilah is a girl name with Hebrew, Arabic, and American origins . The name means "delicate, languishing" in Hebrew .
Dalilah is currently ranked #1,051 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Dalilah has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Dalilah include Dali, Lila, Lily, and Dee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dalilah include Dalia, Dalila, Daliah, Daliyah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis