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Delia Girl

Popularity: #809 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationDEL-ee-uh / /ˈdɛliə/

Greek; Latin

Meaning

Greek: 'delicate'; Latin: 'of Delos'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Delia has its roots in ancient Greek, derived from the word "Delios," which means "of Delos." Delos is a small island in the Aegean Sea, known in Greek mythology as the birthplace of the twin deities Apollo and Artemis. The name was adopted into Latin as "Delia," which maintained its connection to the island and its mythological significance. The transition into English occurred through the influence of Latin texts and the Renaissance revival of classical names, where Delia began to be used as a poetic term for a beloved woman, often in the context of pastoral poetry.

Historically, the name Delia has been associated with various literary and artistic works. One notable milestone is its use in the poetry of the English Renaissance, particularly by poets such as Sir Philip Sidney in the late 16th century, who referred to his muse as "Delia" in his collection of sonnets. This literary connection helped to solidify the name's place in English culture, linking it to themes of beauty and inspiration. Additionally, the name appears in various religious texts, where it is sometimes associated with the divine or the sacred, further enhancing its cultural resonance.

Culturally, Delia has been embraced in various artistic expressions, symbolizing purity and beauty, often linked to the pastoral and idyllic themes prevalent in literature. The name has also been associated with the goddess Artemis, who was revered for her connection to nature and the hunt, reinforcing its ties to femininity and strength. The diminutive form "Della" has also emerged, reflecting a softer, affectionate variant of the name, though it is less historically prominent. Overall, Delia's enduring appeal can be traced back to its rich etymological roots and its significant cultural associations throughout history.

Trend Summary

Delia has experienced fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable resurgence in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Della
  • Dee

International Variants

  • Délia (French)
  • Délia (Spanish)
  • Delia (Italian)

Famous people named Delia

Delia Smith is a chef and television presenter best known for Delia's How to Cook, The Delia Collection, and her cookbooks.

Fictional characters named Delia

Delia is a fictional character from the video game series Pokémon. She is known as the mother of the player character in several games, providing guidance and support throughout their journey.

Delia Ketchum is a fictional character from the animated series Pokémon. She is the caring mother of Ash Ketchum, often shown encouraging him in his quest to become a Pokémon Master.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Delia was first seen in the United States in 1880. Delia has ranked as high as #684 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Arizona. In the past 5 years the name Delia has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Delia (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 19
29%
CA 16
25%
NJ 9
14%
MN 6
9%
AZ 5
8%
IL 5
8%
VA 5
8%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880129
1881111
1882143
1883162
1884145
1885155
1886169
1887150
1888200
1889182
1890197
1891177
1892203
1893194
1894172
1895193
1896190
1897186
1898179
1899180
1900231
1901164
1902132
1903145
1904184
1905171
1906125
1907162
1908168
1909147
1910149
1911170
1912171
1913198
1914248
1915280
1916267
1917283
1918294
1919300
1920282
1921271
1922247
1923293
1924289
1925272
1926282
1927294
1928297
1929302
1930294
1931311
1932296
1933328
1934290
1935265
1936252
1937284
1938265
1939267
1940256
1941284
1942327
1943305
1944286
1945271
1946336
1947377
1948357
1949413
1950402
1951419
1952452
1953480
1954457
1955465
1956479
1957490
1958457
1959488
1960478
1961467
1962415
1963436
1964433
1965363
1966340
1967314
1968312
1969298
1970327
1971307
1972296
1973307
1974240
1975271
1976325
1977334
1978289
1979280
1980285
1981254
1982223
1983266
1984202
1985184
1986193
1987198
1988187
1989219
1990246
1991230
1992199
1993226
1994172
1995217
1996187
1997232
1998246
1999236
2000221
2001205
2002198
2003248
2004247
2005261
2006237
2007272
2008229
2009227
2010244
2011250
2012219
2013178
2014216
2015197
2016183
2017171
2018160
2019152
2020164
2021147
2022130
2023154
2024141