Delany
Below 5 births
2025 SSA
About Delany
Delany is a masculine name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Dubhsláine, meaning "descendant of Dubhsláine." The original Gaelic name combines elements meaning "dark" or "black" and "challenge" or "defiance." While traditionally a surname, Delany has transitioned to use as a first name in recent decades. The name has a strong, distinguished sound while maintaining a friendly accessibility. As a first name, it's relatively uncommon for boys, though it's occasionally used for girls as well. Delany carries connotations of Irish heritage and has a contemporary appeal despite its ancient roots. It fits well with the trend of using surnames as given names while offering distinctive Irish character.
Delany for girls#2866 US
Delany is a feminine name with Irish roots, derived from the surname O'Dubhshlaine, meaning 'descendant of the dark challenger' or 'dark defiance.' The name has transformed through anglicization to its current form. While historically used as a family name, Delany gained popularity as a first name in the late 20th century, particularly in North America. Its appeal lies in its Irish heritage combined with a contemporary sound and the fashionable '-any' ending. The name strikes a balance between uniqueness and familiarity, with spelling variations including Delaney, which is typically more common. Delany offers the appealing nickname options of 'Del' or 'Laney.'
Pronounced duh-LAY-nee.
As of October 2026, Delany ranked #2866 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #2111 in 2024.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #3,604 | 43 | 24.1 |
| 2015 | #3,142 | 53 | 29.7 |
| 2016 | #2,941 | 57 | 32.2 |
| 2017 | #3,162 | 51 | 29.5 |
| 2018 | #3,518 | 44 | 25.9 |
| 2019 | #3,944 | 37 | 22 |
| 2020 | #3,561 | 42 | 26 |
| 2021 | #3,258 | 49 | 29.9 |
| 2022 | #2,468 | 73 | 44.5 |
| 2023 | #2,676 | 65 | 40.5 |
| 2024 | #2,111 | 90 | 55.5 |
| 2025 | #2,866 | 59 | 36.7 |
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