Delilah

A Hebrew-origin name associated with the Delilah figure in the Book of Judges; the exact literal meaning is debated.

Delilah is a feminine name with Hebrew roots, widely recognized because it appears in biblical tradition in the Book of Judges. Because of that association, it often carries a strong cultural reference point in Jewish and Christian contexts, even when used today as a modern given name. In name references, Delilah is usually treated as a Hebrew form recorded in scripture. Popular glosses sometimes connect it to ideas such as “delicate” or “tender,” but sources are not always consistent about a single definitive root, so it’s best read as a traditional name with a debated literal etymology. Pronunciation in common English use is dih-LY-luh, with stress on the middle syllable. A practical tip is that many people shorten it naturally to Lila, and spelling variants like Delila can appear while keeping the same overall sound.

Etymology: From a Hebrew name recorded in biblical tradition; popular explanations connect it to ideas like “delicate” or “tender,” but the precise derivation is not universally agreed.