"delicate, languishing"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Dalilah
Girl Name
#1,051 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
Ancient biblical name reborn with bohemian elegance
Hebrew
Arabic
American
Vintage
Elegant
Literary
Gentle
Whimsical
Meaning & Origin
"flirtatious, charming"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
"one who weakens or brings low"
Origin: Hebrew biblical
Language: Hebrew
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.
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
Arabic
دليلة
French
Dalila
Hebrew
דְּלִילָה
Italian
Dalila
Spanish
Dalila
Famous People Named Dalilah
D
Dalilah Muhammad
Athlete
1990
American Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2019 World Championships
D
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
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
Dali
Lila
Lily
Dee
Pairs Well With
Dalilah Rose
Dalilah Mae
Dalilah June
Dalilah Grace
Dalilah Pearl
Dalilah Faye
Dalilah Wren
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dalilah
What does the name Dalilah mean?
"delicate, languishing" (from Hebrew). "flirtatious, charming" (from Arabic). "one who weakens or brings low" (from Hebrew biblical). 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.
What is the origin of the name Dalilah?
Dalilah has Hebrew, Arabic, Hebrew biblical, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "delicate, languishing". In Arabic, it means "flirtatious, charming". In Hebrew biblical, it means "one who weakens or brings low".
Is Dalilah a boy or girl name?
Dalilah is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Dalilah?
Dalilah is currently ranked #1051 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dalilah?
Common nicknames for Dalilah include Dali, Lila, Lily, and Dee.
What are good middle names for Dalilah?
Popular middle name pairings include Dalilah Rose, Dalilah Mae, Dalilah June, Dalilah Grace, Dalilah Pearl, Dalilah Faye, and Dalilah Wren.
What are good sibling names for Dalilah?
Names that pair well with Dalilah as siblings include Samson, Solomon, Miriam, Esther, Naomi, Isaiah, and Elijah.
How many syllables does Dalilah have?
Dalilah has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Dalilah a common or rare name?
Dalilah is an uncommon name, ranked #1051 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
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.