"seductive, alluring"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Delilah
Pronunciation: [ d-uhl-EYEL-uh ]
Girl Name
#50 Most Popular
Rising
3 Syllables
The Bible's most alluring villain, now beloved by parents
English
Jewish
American
Vintage
Elegant
Literary
Bold
Whimsical
Meaning & Origin
"From the Hebrew 'Delilah'; the biblical Delilah was the lover of Samson, who cut his hair to rob him of his strength"
Origin: Biblical
Language: Hebrew
"delicate, weakened"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Things to Know About This Name
- Strong Biblical association with betrayal — Delilah cut Samson's hair to rob him of strength. Some religious families may avoid it.
The Story of Delilah
Delilah comes from the Hebrew 'Delilah', whose etymology is disputed — it may mean 'delicate', 'weak', or 'one who weakened'. In the Book of Judges, Delilah was the Philistine woman who discovered the secret of Samson's strength (his uncut hair), betrayed him to the Philistines, and caused his downfall. Despite this biblical notoriety, the name has been embraced in the modern era for its lilting, beautiful sound.
Delilah entered the US top 100 around 2013 and has climbed steadily, driven by its melodic sound and vintage charm. Plain White T's hit song 'Hey There Delilah' (2006) sparked significant interest, and parents of the 2010s have shown they're comfortable with the name's complex backstory.
The story of Samson and Delilah is one of the Bible's most dramatic narratives of love, betrayal, and redemption. The 1949 Cecil B. DeMille film Samson and Delilah was one of the highest-grossing films of its era. Despite the betrayal narrative, Delilah has been reclaimed as a name of beauty and strength.
Fun Facts
- Plain White T's 'Hey There Delilah' (2006) directly sparked a rise in the name's popularity
- Delilah entered the US top 100 despite its biblical betrayal backstory, showing parents embrace its sound over its story
- The story of Samson and Delilah has been adapted into operas, films, and paintings for centuries
Delilah in Other Languages
Arabic
دليلة
French
Dalila
Hebrew
דְּלִילָה
Italian
Dalila
Spanish
Dalila
Portuguese
Dalila
Famous People Named Delilah
D
Delilah
Radio host
1960
American radio personality known for her syndicated late-night call-in radio program featuring love songs and listener d...
American radio personality known for her syndicated late-night call-in radio program featuring love songs and listener dedications
D
Delilah (Radio host)
Entertainer
1960
American radio personality and one of the most listened-to radio hosts in the US, known for her nighttime love songs pro...
American radio personality and one of the most listened-to radio hosts in the US, known for her nighttime love songs program
D
Delilah (Biblical)
Religious
The Philistine woman who discovered Samson's source of strength, cut his hair, and betrayed him to his enemies in the Bo...
The Philistine woman who discovered Samson's source of strength, cut his hair, and betrayed him to his enemies in the Book of Judges
D
Delilah (Hey There Delilah)
Other
The real-life subject of the Plain White T's 2006 hit 'Hey There Delilah', which spent 35 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #50
- Total SSA Count
- 4,240
- Cultural Origins
- English Jewish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Deli
Lilah
Lila
Dee
Pairs Well With
Delilah Rose
Delilah Grace
Delilah Jane
Delilah Mae
Delilah Faith
Delilah Claire
Delilah Faye
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Delilah
What does the name Delilah mean?
"seductive, alluring" (from Hebrew). "From the Hebrew 'Delilah'; the biblical Delilah was the lover of Samson, who cut his hair to rob him of his strength" (from Biblical). "delicate, weakened" (from Hebrew). Delilah comes from the Hebrew 'Delilah', whose etymology is disputed — it may mean 'delicate', 'weak', or 'one who weakened'. In the Book of Judges, Delilah was the Philistine woman who discovered the secret of Samson's strength (his uncut hair), betrayed him to the Philistines, and caused his downfall. Despite this biblical notoriety, the name has been embraced in the modern era for its lilting, beautiful sound.
What is the origin of the name Delilah?
Delilah has Hebrew, Biblical, English, Jewish, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "seductive, alluring". In Biblical, it means "From the Hebrew 'Delilah'; the biblical Delilah was the lover of Samson, who cut his hair to rob him of his strength". In Hebrew, it means "delicate, weakened".
Is Delilah a boy or girl name?
Delilah is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Delilah?
Delilah is pronounced d-uhl-EYEL-uh.
How popular is the name Delilah?
Delilah is currently ranked #50 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Delilah?
Common nicknames for Delilah include Deli, Lilah, Lila, and Dee.
What are good middle names for Delilah?
Popular middle name pairings include Delilah Rose, Delilah Grace, Delilah Jane, Delilah Mae, Delilah Faith, Delilah Claire, and Delilah Faye.
What are good sibling names for Delilah?
Names that pair well with Delilah as siblings include Samson, Solomon, Jezebel, Iris, Violet, Magnolia, and Jasper.
How many syllables does Delilah have?
Delilah has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Delilah a common or rare name?
Delilah is a very popular name, ranked #50 among girl names in the United States.
About the Name Delilah
Delilah is a girl name with English, Jewish, and American origins . The name means "seductive, alluring" in Hebrew .
Delilah is currently ranked #50 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Delilah has 3 syllables and is pronounced d-uhl-EYEL-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Delilah include Deli, Lilah, Lila, and Dee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Delilah include Delia, Delila, Delina . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.