Dailah

Meaning & origin

Dailah is a modern English respelling of Delilah, a name with ancient roots in the Hebrew Bible. While the traditional name Delilah has a long history, Dailah itself emerged as a distinct spelling only in the early 2000s, first recorded in U.S. Social Security data in 2001. This creative spelling follows a trend seen with names like Kayla and Layla, where the 'ai' combination offers a fresh look and sound. Despite its biblical associations, Dailah has remained uncommon; its peak year was 2016, and usage has been falling since 2019. In 2025, it did not reach the top 1,000 names and no specific states showed notable concentration. The name appeals to parents seeking a unique variation of a classic name, without the weight of historical notoriety. As a relatively recent coinage, Dailah reflects contemporary naming tastes that favor phonetic adaptations and distinctive spellings.

Dailah is a modern English respelling of Delilah, derived from the Hebrew name Delilah (דְּלִילָה), which traditionally means 'delicate' or 'weak.' The name appears in the Hebrew Bible as the woman who betrayed Samson. In contemporary usage, Dailah functions as a phonetic variant, often chosen for its aesthetic resemblance to names like Kayla or Layla. The name has seen sporadic use in the United States since the early 2000s, reflecting trends in creative spellings.