Find out how popular the first name Delia has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Delia by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Delia is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Delia being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 154 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Delia.

The history of the first name Delia

The name Delia has its roots in ancient Greek language and culture, dating back to the 5th century BC. It is believed to be derived from the Greek word "delios," which means "from the island of Delos." Delos was a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea, known for being the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis in Greek mythology.

In ancient Greek texts, Delia was used as an epithet for the goddess Artemis, referring to her as the "Delian Goddess" or the "Goddess of Delos." This connection to the revered goddess of the hunt and the moon likely contributed to the name's popularity in the ancient Greek world.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Delia can be found in the works of the ancient Greek lyric poet Pindar, who lived from around 522 BC to 443 BC. In his poetry, he refers to Artemis as "Delia," further solidifying the name's association with the goddess.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Delia. In ancient Rome, Delia was the name of a Roman matron mentioned in Pliny the Younger's letters, written around 100 AD. During the Renaissance period, Delia (1498-1543) was the name of an Italian poet and member of the famous Venetian literary circle known as the Accademia Veneziana.

In the 17th century, Delia (1615-1672) was the name of an English author and playwright who wrote under the pen name "Delia." She is best known for her collection of poetry titled "The Remonstrance of Delia."

Moving into the 19th century, Delia Salter Bacon (1811-1859) was an American writer and literary critic who famously, but controversially, claimed that the works of William Shakespeare were authored by a group of writers, including Francis Bacon.

In the 20th century, Delia Smith (born 1941) is a renowned English cook and television presenter, known for her influential cookery books and for teaching a generation of Britons how to cook.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Delia, which has its origins deeply rooted in ancient Greek language, mythology, and culture.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Delia was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Delia, please contact us.

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