Dalyla

Meaning & origin

Dalyla is a modern American respelling of the biblical name Delilah (from Hebrew 'delight' or 'hair'), first recorded in U.S. births in 1997. The name has seen modest use, peaking in rank at number 6,116 in 2011. Since 2010, its popularity has been falling: in 2025, approximately 1 in every 84,593 baby girls received the name. Dalyla has not appeared in any top state rankings. While still uncommon, Dalyla appeals to parents seeking an alternative spelling of the familiar Delilah, adding a soft, feminine -lyla ending. The name's trajectory suggests a continued decline, but its relative rarity preserves a sense of individuality. Overall, Dalyla reflects a modern naming trend that adapts traditional names with phonetic spellings, giving a classic name a fresh feel.

Dalyla is a modern respelling of Delilah, a name of Hebrew origin from the Bible (Samson's betrayer). The Hebrew root דלה (dala) suggests meanings like 'to draw water' or 'to hang down,' often linked to hair. This spelling variant emerged in the late 20th century, influenced by trends for names ending in 'a' and the popular -lyla suffix. It has been used in the United States since 1997.