Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Dalila
GirlSpanish, Hebrew· “form of Delilah, meaning uncertain”
- Meaning
- form of Delilah, meaning uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Spanish, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- duh-LEE-luh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,528
- US babies 2025
- 139
- Best rank
- #1,209 (2009)
- Peak year
- 2009
Meaning and origin of Dalila
Dalila is often said to mean “form of Delilah, meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Spanish and Hebrew roots.
Dalila is the Spanish, Italian and French form of Delilah, the biblical woman who betrayed Samson by revealing the secret of his strength. The meaning of Delilah is uncertain; it has been linked to Hebrew words meaning delicate or to an Arabic word for guide, but no explanation is agreed on. Saint-Saëns's opera Samson et Dalila made this form well known. Dalila sounds soft and flowing, with stress on the second syllable. Lila and Dali are possible nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Delilah.
Popularity over time
Dalila first appears in US Social Security records in 1944. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,209 in 2009, the same year it reached its highest count of 207 babies. In 2025, 139 babies were named Dalila, and it ranked #1,528 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,730 in 1950, #1,751 in 1980, #1,663 in 2000, #1,447 in 2010, and #1,528 in 2025. Of the 6,042 US girls named Dalila since records began, 25% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,385 babies. Since 2010, 2,208 more have been named Dalila.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Ariyana, Izzabella, Kirra, Yarely, and Amyah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Dalila ranked highest in Utah, Minnesota, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | #732 | 5 |
| Minnesota | #871 | 5 |
| California | #1057 | 25 |
| New Jersey | #1216 | 5 |
| Georgia | #1246 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Dalila is usually pronounced duh-LEE-luh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-la”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Delilah.
Middle names for Dalila
A few middle names that flow with Dalila: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dalila
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Lists that include Dalila
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dalila mean?
Dalila is often said to mean “form of Delilah, meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Spanish and Hebrew roots.
What is the origin of the name Dalila?
Dalila has Spanish and Hebrew roots. Dalila is the Spanish, Italian and French form of Delilah, the biblical woman who betrayed Samson by revealing the secret of his strength.
Is Dalila a popular name?
Not especially. Dalila ranked #1,528 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Dalila a boy or girl name?
Dalila is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Dalila?
Dalila is usually pronounced duh-LEE-luh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings