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Delylah

Girl Name #2,576 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

A biblical beauty with a surprisingly sweet sound

American English Hebrew
Vintage Literary Elegant Whimsical

Meaning & Origin

"delicate, dainty, languishing"
Origin: Hebrew dalal
Language: English
"daughter of the night"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew

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

Arabic دليلة
French Dalila
Hebrew דְּלִילָה (Delilah)
Italian Dalila
Spanish Dalila

Famous People Named Delylah

D

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

D

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

Dee Lilah Lila Della

Pairs Well With

Delylah Rose Delylah Grace Delylah Jane Delylah Mae Delylah Pearl Delylah Faye Delylah Blue

Sibling Names

Similar Names

Same Origin Names (American)

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Delylah

What does the name Delylah mean?
"delicate, dainty, languishing" (from Hebrew dalal). "daughter of the night" (from Hebrew). 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.
What is the origin of the name Delylah?
Delylah has Hebrew dalal, Hebrew, American, and English origins. In Hebrew dalal, it means "delicate, dainty, languishing". In Hebrew, it means "daughter of the night".
Is Delylah a boy or girl name?
Delylah is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Delylah?
Delylah is currently ranked #2576 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Delylah?
Common nicknames for Delylah include Dee, Lilah, Lila, and Della.
What are good middle names for Delylah?
Popular middle name pairings include Delylah Rose, Delylah Grace, Delylah Jane, Delylah Mae, Delylah Pearl, Delylah Faye, and Delylah Blue.
What are good sibling names for Delylah?
Names that pair well with Delylah as siblings include Hazel, Violet, Jasper, Felix, Atticus, Clementine, Ophelia, and Silas.
How many syllables does Delylah have?
Delylah has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Delylah a common or rare name?
Delylah is an uncommon name, ranked #2576 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

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.

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