MallowbyNames

Delany

DEL-uh-nee · Descendant of the slanchadh, or dark challenger.

2025 rank (girls)
#2,859
Babies named in 2025
59
Peak popularity
2024
2025 frequency
1 in 27,242 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 1991

Rising since 1991, #2,859 for girls today.

Popularity of Delany since 1990

Babies named Delany per year in U.S. Social Security records.

3060901990200020102020Most births 2024Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1990s175
2000s391
2010s463
2020s379

Meaning & origin

Delany emerged as a given name in the United States in 1990 and has been steadily rising in use since 1991. It reached its peak rank of 2,859 in 2025, when approximately 1 in every 27,242 girls received the name. The name is particularly popular in Arizona, California, and Texas, reflecting its appeal in states with diverse naming trends. Its Irish surname origins give it a modern yet heritage-rich feel, appealing to parents seeking a name that is both familiar and distinctive.

Delany is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Dubhshláine, meaning 'descendant of Dubhshláine.' Dubhshláine combines dubh (dark, black) and slán (challenge or defiance). The name was historically associated with a sept in County Laois, Ireland, and has been used as a given name since the late 20th century, particularly in the United States.

Where Delany is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Del, Laney, Dee

Variants: Delaney, Delanie

Sibling names for Delany

Names that share Delany's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Maeve, Cara, Brielle, Nora, Quinn

Brothers: Declan, Rowan, Finn, Cian, Kieran

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

D is for Delany, our favorite little girl.

D is for Delany…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Delany's letter becomes Delany's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Delany's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Delany mean?
Delany means 'descendant of the dark challenger,' derived from the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Dubhshláine.
Is Delany a popular girl's name?
Delany ranked 2,859 in 2025, with about 1 in every 27,242 girls given the name that year.
Is Delany typically a boy or girl name?
Delany is almost exclusively used for girls in the United States.