Rising since 1997, #1,525 for girls today.
Popularity of Dalila since 1944
Babies named Dalila per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 15 |
| 1950s | 120 |
| 1960s | 192 |
| 1970s | 505 |
| 1980s | 673 |
| 1990s | 804 |
| 2000s | 1,525 |
| 2010s | 1,385 |
| 2020s | 823 |
Meaning & origin
Dalila has been in use in the United States since at least 1944, but its popularity has grown steadily. It ranked 1,525 in 2025, with about 1 in 11,563 girls receiving the name. Its peak year was 2009, and it has been on a rising trajectory since 1997. The name is most common in Utah, Minnesota, and California, reflecting its appeal in diverse communities. As a variant of Delilah, Dalila carries the biblical legacy of Samson's betrayer, but also softer meanings in Arabic and Swahili. Its rise may be part of a broader trend toward names ending in 'a' and the renewed interest in biblical names. Dalila offers a slightly less common alternative to Delilah while retaining its melodic sound.
Dalila is a variant of Delilah, from the Hebrew name Delilah, possibly meaning 'languishing' or 'delicate'. In the Old Testament, Delilah is the woman who betrayed Samson. The Arabic name Dalila is related to the word 'dalil', meaning 'guide' or 'proof'. In Swahili, Dalila means 'gentle' or 'kind'. The name has been used across Europe and the Middle East for centuries.
Where Dalila is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Dalila” around the world
Where Dalila lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lila, Dali, Lili
Sibling names for Dalila
Names that share Dalila's style, for a brother or sister.
