Delilah

Uncertain; often interpreted as ‘delicate’ or ‘languishing’

Delilah is an English feminine name inherited from the Hebrew Bible. ‘Delicate’ and ‘languishing’ are familiar interpretations, but its original meaning is not settled. In Judges, Delilah learns the secret of Samson’s strength and enables his capture. This dramatic association belongs to the name’s cultural history and may matter when choosing it. The English sound has a different kind of presence: the stressed middle syllable and repeated l give it a lilting, expansive feel. It suits a taste for names with movement and an unmistakable story.

Etymology: English form of the biblical Hebrew name דְּלִילָה; its deeper derivation is disputed.