Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Lilah

Lilah is a pet form of the Biblical name Delilah. The name Dalilah has Hebrew origins from the name “Dlila” meaning ‘[one who] weakens’. Not the most positive meaning, we get it. But once you’re familiar with Delilah from the Bible, then you’ll understand. The name Delilah is borne from the story of Samson and Delilah in the Old Testament book of Judges 16:4-20. Arguably the first femme fatale in human history, Delilah is the manipulative seductress of Samson. The story goes that Samson was dedicated to God at birth by being born a Nazarite to a barren mother. Nazarites (as explained in Numbers) were not allowed to drink fermented beverages, come in contact with a corpse, or cut their hair (weird rules, we agree). Unfortunately, Samson could only stick to one of these rules (the hair part). Strong and mighty of proportions that only the Bible can conjure up, Samson roamed the lands eating animal carcasses, picking fights, killing people, antagonizing the Philistines and fornicating with prostitutes. Enter Delilah. Apparently, she had him at “hello” because he quickly divulges to her the secret source of his strength – his hair. Having received a bounty from the Philistines, Delilah arranges for his hair to be cut off while he unwittingly sleeps on her lap. Mighty like an ox was Samson, but apparently not the sharpest knife in the Israelite drawer and old Delilah took advantage of this fact (hey, a girl’s gotta make a living, right?). Despite her rather…eh-hem…colorful story, the name Delilah gained regular use among English speakers from the late 17th century onward. Usually considered more of an “exotic” name, people don’t appear to be swayed by the general negative connotations of the Biblical story. In fact, perhaps they embrace it. Lilah is a simple shortened form of this seductive name.

All About the Baby Name – Lilah

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME LILAH

Romance is the hallmark of the Six personality. They exude nurturing, loving, and caring energy. Sixes are in love with the idea of love in its idealized form - and with their magnetic personalities, they easily draw people toward them. Like the number Two personality, they seek balance and harmony in their life and the world at large. They are conscientious and service-oriented, and a champion for the underdog. These personalities naturally attract money and are usually surrounded by lovely material objects - but their human relationships are always primary. They thrive in giving back to others rather than being motivated by their own desires. This is when they achieve great things. Sixes are natural teachers, ministers and counselors.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME LILAH

Lilah was in use in America back in the late 1880s and into the early part of the 20th century. However, she would disappear from the charts for about 100 years, not to re-emerge until 2006. Lilah has since climbed up to moderate levels of popularity today. “Lila” like names (Lilah, Lyla(h), Leila, etc) have really caught the eye of American parents in the 21st century. A little different than the ever-trendy Lily, Leah or Lucy, for instance. Lilah is a livelier alternative to her more popular sisters, and the “h” on the end connects the name to Delilah. It’s a cute, happy, bouncy name with an old-fashioned twist. And yet Lilah has a certain charming elegance at the same time. A darling choice for any lucky little girl.

Quick Facts

ON LILAH

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

307

PRONUNCIATION:

LIE-lah

SIMPLE MEANING:

One who weakens

Characteristics

OF LILAH

Humanitarian

Community-minded

Family-oriented

Loving

Affectionate

Compassionate

Sensitive

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Lilah

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME LILAH

Set in the magnificent culture of the Middle East more than four thousand years ago, Lilah is a rich and emotionally resonant story of faith, love, and courage. Living in exile, Lilah is in love with Antinoes, a Persian warrior. They have known each other since they were children, and Antinoes dearly wants to make Lilah his wife. Yet Lilah does not feel she can marry without the blessing of her brother, Ezra. She and Ezra are close, and Lilah knows her brother well—he does not want his sister to have a husband outside their faith. Ezra is a scholar of the laws of Moses, and Lilah believes it is her brother’s destiny to lead the Jewish people back to the Promised Land. While Antinoes pressures her to accept his proposal, Lilah realizes that before she can consider her own happiness, it is her duty to help her brother accomplish the seemingly impossible task that is before him. Putting herself in grave danger, and with the help of Antinoes, Lilah wins Ezra an audience with Artaxerxes II, the King of Kings, who grants permission to lead the exiles on their journey back to the Promised Land. After a hazardous trip across the desert, Lilah, Ezra, and the thousands who join them arrive in Jerusalem. But the hardship of rebuilding the Temple takes its toll, and the religious enthusiasm of some turns to extremism. Ezra, listening to the zealots, orders all non-Jewish wives and their children banished from Jerusalem. Lilah, whose love for Antinoes has never wavered, is horrified by this command. She knows she must now choose between her brother and her conscience, which tells her that the time has come to defy him. Lilah is a timeless story of one woman’s stand against intolerance; it will linger in the reader’s mind long after the last page has been turned.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME LILAH

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Lilah


Popular Songs

ON LILAH

Lilah
a song by Don Henley

Famous People

NAMED LILAH

We cannot find any celebrities or significantly famous people with the first name Lilah.

Children of Famous People

NAMED LILAH

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Lilah

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME LILAH

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Lilah