"delicate, dainty, languishing"
Delylah
A biblical beauty with a surprisingly sweet sound
Meaning & Origin
"daughter of the night"
Things to Know About This Name
- Biblical association with betrayal — Delilah cut Samson's hair and caused his downfall
- Tom Jones's hit Hey Jude... wait, Hey Delilah? No — Tom Jones sang It's Not Unusual; Plain White T's sang Hey There Delilah
The Story of Delylah
Delylah is a variant spelling of Delilah, a Hebrew name whose exact meaning is debated among scholars — it may derive from 'dalal' (to be low, to weaken, to languish) suggesting delicate or dainty, or from a word related to night or daughter of the night. In the Bible, Delilah is the Philistine woman who seduced Samson and discovered the secret of his strength — his unshorn hair — leading to his capture. Despite this complex biblical association, the name's soft, lyrical sound has made it increasingly popular in the modern era.
Delilah has experienced a remarkable resurgence since the late 2000s. Plain White T's 2007 hit 'Hey There Delilah' introduced the name to a new generation with romantic associations. The name has been rising in the US top 100 and reached top-50 territory by the 2020s, with the Delylah spelling offering a distinctive alternative.
Delilah carries one of the most complex legacies in baby naming: a biblical villain who is also associated with beauty and romantic poetry. Many parents choose the name purely for its sound while others appreciate its rich history. In various folk and literary traditions, Delilah is reimagined as a tragic figure rather than a villain.
Fun Facts
- Plain White T's 'Hey There Delilah' (2007) reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and directly boosted the name's popularity
- Delilah has appeared as a name in works by Milton, Handel, and Cecil B. DeMille
- The name is currently experiencing one of the strongest revivals of any historically complex name — parents are reclaiming it for its beauty alone
Delylah in Other Languages
Famous People Named Delylah
Delilah (biblical)
Other
Philistine woman in the Book of Judges who discovered Samson's secret strength and facilitated his capture by the Philis...
Philistine woman in the Book of Judges who discovered Samson's secret strength and facilitated his capture by the Philistines
Delilah (Hey There Delilah)
Other
Delilah DiCrescenzo, the inspiration for Plain White T's hit 2007 song that brought the name to a new generation
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,576
- Total SSA Count
- 68
- Cultural Origins
- American English Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Same Origin Names (American)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Delylah
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About the Name Delylah
Delylah is a girl name with American, English, and Hebrew origins . The name means "delicate, dainty, languishing" in Hebrew dalal .
Delylah is currently ranked #2,576 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Delylah has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Delylah include Dee, Lilah, Lila, and Della. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.