Delilah first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Delilah

A feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "delicate" or "languishing".

Popularity of Delilah by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Delilah is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 4,031 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Delilah.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 4,031
2022 0 3,853
2021 0 3,748
2020 0 3,413
2019 0 3,152
2018 0 3,005
2017 0 2,895
2016 0 2,735
2015 0 2,735
2014 0 2,513
2013 0 2,344
2012 0 2,094
2011 0 1,836
2010 0 1,670
2009 0 1,704
2008 0 1,739
2007 0 1,136
2006 0 539
2005 0 487
2004 0 473
2003 0 438
2002 0 354
2001 0 379
2000 0 358
1999 0 355
1998 0 242
1997 0 225
1996 0 159
1995 0 155
1994 0 133
1993 0 138
1992 0 128
1991 0 151
1990 0 136
1989 0 153
1988 0 192
1987 0 219
1986 0 185
1985 0 236
1984 0 225
1983 0 252
1982 0 159
1981 0 115
1980 0 159
1979 0 196
1978 0 154
1977 0 151
1976 0 136
1975 0 132
1974 0 147

The history of the first name Delilah

The name Delilah has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture. It is derived from the Hebrew word "dalal" which means "to languish" or "to be delicate". The name first appeared in the Old Testament of the Bible, where it was the name of the Philistine woman who betrayed Samson, seducing him and cutting off his hair, which was the source of his strength.

While the biblical Delilah is portrayed as a seductress and traitor, the name itself carries a softer, more delicate meaning. Over time, it has come to be associated with beauty, grace, and femininity. The earliest recorded use of the name outside of the Bible dates back to the 13th century in England.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name Delilah was an English woman named Delilah Gibbs, who lived in the late 16th century. In the 17th century, Delilah Wray was a prominent Quaker writer and activist in England.

In the 18th century, Delilah Wallington was a notable English diarist and writer. Her diary, which chronicled her life in the early 1700s, is an important historical document and provides insight into the lives of women during that time period.

In the 19th century, Delilah Bates was a famous American contralto opera singer who performed in Europe and the United States. She was known for her powerful voice and dramatic stage presence.

In the 20th century, Delilah Leontium Bouri was a Greek-American artist and sculptor who was active in the early part of the century. She was known for her avant-garde style and her use of unconventional materials in her sculptures.

Overall, the name Delilah has a rich history that spans centuries and cultures. While it has its roots in the Hebrew language and the biblical story of Samson and Delilah, it has evolved to take on a more positive and feminine connotation over time.

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 Delilah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Delilah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on September 7, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/delilah-meaning-and-history/.

"Delilah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/delilah-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 7 September, 2024

Delilah first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/delilah-meaning-and-history/.

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