Alternatives To Delilah

Biblical bad girl Delilah once felt unusable. Nowadays, due to a popular sound and newer connotations, Delilah feels like a well-loved favorite. Here are some similar names!
  1. Aaliyah
    • Origin:

      Variation of Aliya, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "heavens, highborn, exalted"
    • Description:

      Both powerful and pretty, with a melodic sound, Aaliyah joins Layla, Lila, Dana, and Farrah as a name of Arabic origin that is also popular in the English-speaking world.
  2. Adela
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "noble"
    • Description:

      A vibrant variation of Adele, with a bit of extra flair from that "-a" ending. It could join the army of popular A girls' names, especially with its tie to the success of singer Adele.
  3. Adelina
    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Slavic variation of Adeline
    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility"
    • Description:

      Adelina is back in the Top 1000 after an absence of nearly a century, thanks to the meteoric rise of her sister name Adeline -- along with Adelaide, Adele, and Ada.
  4. Adina
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "slender, delicate"
    • Description:

      Name of an Old Testament soldier that's been also used as a girls' name in modern Israel. An alternate spelling is Adinah. Some mistake Adina and Adinah to be the root of Dinah, but the Biblical name Dinah is borne by a different figure and has a different meaning. You can consider the modern short forms Dena and Dina as stemming from either Adina or Dinah.
  5. Alula
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "first leap"
    • Description:

      Alula, the palindromic name of the first double star to be identified as physically related to its twin, would make the perfect name for a first-born twin. Ideas (we're only half joking) for the second born: Aviva, Aziza, Otto. Alula is reminiscent of the unusual name chosen by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen for their second daughter: Elula, a month name from the Hebrew calendar.
  6. Anastasia
    • Origin:

      Greek, feminine variation of Anastasios
    • Meaning:

      "resurrection"
    • Description:

      Anastasia is the feminine form on Anastasius, a Greek name derived from the word anastasis, meaning "resurrection." It was a common name among early Christians, who often gave it to daughters born around Christmas or Easter. There are handful of saints named Anastasia, including the patron saint of weavers.
  7. Arabella
    • Origin:

      Latin, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "yielding to prayer; lovable"
    • Description:

      Arabella, lovely and elegant, has long been well used in Britain and finally made it onto the American list in 2005. A Top 50 choice in the UK, in the US in remains in the Top 300, given to around 1300 babies each year.
  8. Beatrix
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "she who brings happiness; blessed"
    • Description:

      Beatrix has a solid history of its own apart from Beatrice, with that final x adding a playful, animated note to the name's imposing history and stately vibe.
  9. Belen
    • Origin:

      Spanish place name and form of Bethlehem, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "house of bread"
    • Description:

      Actually the Spanish name for Bethlehem, which means "house of bread," this name is high on Spain's popularity list and is rising in the US as well. Though this is one of the Spanish names for girls that has not for the most part crossed over to the English-speaking population, that could change thanks to its similarity to the popular Belle or Bella.
  10. Cordelia
    • Origin:

      Latin; Celtic
    • Meaning:

      "heart; daughter of the sea"
    • Description:

      Cordelia is exactly the kind of old-fashioned, grown-up name for girls that many parents are seeking for their daughters today. The name of King Lear's one sympathetic daughter, Cordelia has both style and substance along with its Shakespearean pedigree.
  11. Dahlia
    • Origin:

      Flower name, from Swedish surname
    • Meaning:

      "Dahl's flower"
    • Description:

      One of the flower names, used occasionally in Britain (where it's pronounced DAY-lee-a). It seems to have recovered from what was perceived as a slightly affected la-di-dah air. The flower was named in honor of the pioneering Swedish botanist Andreas Dahl, which means dale.
  12. Dahlina
    • Description:

      Dahlina is a feminine name that evokes natural beauty, likely derived from "dahlia," the lovely flower named after 18th-century Swedish botanist Anders Dahl. The addition of the suffix "-ina" creates a diminutive form, lending a gentle, endearing quality. While relatively uncommon, Dahlina appeals to parents seeking nature-inspired names with a distinctive yet accessible sound. The name has Scandinavian connections through its flower origin but works well across different cultural contexts. Dahlina carries a delicate, feminine quality while avoiding overly common endings. The name suggests someone with natural grace and beauty, reminiscent of the colorful, complex dahlia flower. For parents drawn to floral names but seeking something less common than Rose, Lily, or Violet, Dahlina offers a perfect balance of uniqueness and familiarity, with an intuitive spelling and pleasant three-syllable rhythm.
  13. Dailani
    • Description:

      Dailani is a feminine name with multicultural roots, possibly deriving from Persian, Arabic, or Pacific Islander origins. Though relatively uncommon globally, the name has been gaining modest attention in recent years as parents seek distinctive yet melodious options. In some cultures, Dailani may be associated with concepts like gentleness, beauty, or natural elements. The rhythmic sound pattern with its three syllables and flowing 'l' sound creates a graceful impression. While specific meaning interpretations vary across cultural contexts, Dailani generally conveys an exotic elegance. The name's rarity makes it appealing to parents desiring uniqueness for their daughters while maintaining an intuitive pronunciation and pleasant sound quality.

  14. Daleesha
    • Description:

      Daleesha is a feminine name that appears to have emerged in American naming patterns during the 1970s and 1980s. The name may be a creative variation that combines elements of names like Delia or Delilah with the suffix '-eesha' or '-esha,' which gained popularity during this period. The double 'ee' spelling creates a distinctive visual identity while indicating the long 'e' sound in pronunciation. This name represents inventive naming practices that value melodic sounds and unique spellings. While never among the most common names, Daleesha has maintained consistent though limited usage since its emergence. The name exemplifies creative phonetic construction with its balanced distribution of consonants and vowels, creating a rhythmic three-syllable pattern. Parents might choose Daleesha seeking a distinctive yet melodious name with a contemporary feel.
  15. Dalenna
    • Description:

      Dalenna is a modern feminine name with uncertain origins, possibly a variant of Darlene or a creative combination of the popular prefix 'Da-' with feminine endings. It carries a melodic quality with its flowing syllables and soft consonants. Dalenna remains quite rare in English-speaking countries, giving it a distinctive quality for parents seeking an uncommon yet approachable name. The name may appeal to those looking for something with a contemporary feel while maintaining a traditional feminine sound. Dalenna might be perceived as elegant and graceful with a subtle exotic flair, though without strong cultural ties to any specific heritage.
  16. Dalila
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "guide"
    • Description:

      Names that sound and/or are spelled like Dalila exist in several languages, from the Swahili Dalili to the Arabic Dalil to the Hebrew Delilah. A beautiful cross-cultural choice.
  17. Dalili
    • Origin:

      Swahili
    • Meaning:

      "a sign from the gods"
    • Description:

      Lovely, melodic Dalila/Delilah cousin.
  18. Daphne
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "laurel tree, bay tree"
    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Daphne was the nymph daughter of Peneus, a river god. Peneus saved Daphne from Apollo’s romantic obsessions by transforming her into a laurel tree. It is from this myth that the plant genus daphne, which contains the laurel species, gets its name.
  19. Delaina
    • Description:

      Delaina is a feminine name with possible roots as a variant of Delana or an elaboration of Delaine. The name likely derives from elements meaning 'from Alaine' or may be connected to the French 'de laine' (of wool). It emerged in the United States during the mid-20th century but gained more notice during the 1970s-80s when melodic, multi-syllabic feminine names were trending. Though never extremely common, Delaina possesses an elegant, romantic quality with its flowing sound and soft ending. The name has remained a consistent but uncommon choice for parents seeking something distinctive yet approachable. Its similarity to more familiar names like Elaina and Delaney gives it recognizability while maintaining its uniqueness.

  20. Delaney
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "dark challenger; dark river"
    • Description:

      Delaney has been a popular surname-style choice since 90s, when it joined other Irish surnames such as Cassidy, Kennedy, and Mallory on the US Charts. Buoyant, bright, and cheerful, it ranks in the US Top 250 and is given to nearly 1300 babies every year.