What does Ines mean?
Inès is a French and Spanish form of Agnes, “pure” or “holy.”
What does Delphine mean?
Delphine is linked to the dolphin and to Delphi, seat of the ancient oracle.
Ines vs Delphine
Which is more popular?
Ines is more popular than Delphine today: about 213 US babies were given the name Ines in 2025, compared with 42 named Delphine.
| Ines | Delphine | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Pure, holy | Dolphin; of Delphi |
| Origin | French | French |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | ee-NESS | del-FEEN |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1883 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2025 (213) | 1958 (348) |
| In 2025 | 213 | 42 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Ines
Delphine
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Ines | Delphine |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 890 | 261 |
| 2010s | 949 | 397 |
| 2000s | 761 | 154 |
| 1990s | 522 | 103 |
| 1980s | 335 | 141 |
| 1970s | 359 | 343 |
| 1960s | 379 | 987 |
| 1950s | 255 | 1,676 |
| 1940s | 217 | 1,005 |
| 1930s | 410 | 1,730 |
| 1920s | 761 | 2,080 |
| 1910s | 605 | 1,021 |
| 1900s | 186 | 287 |
| 1890s | 104 | 161 |
| 1880s | 18 | 102 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Ines or Delphine more popular?
Ines is more popular than Delphine today: about 213 US babies were given the name Ines in 2025, compared with 42 named Delphine.
What is the difference between Ines and Delphine?
Ines means Pure, holy (French origin), while Delphine means Dolphin; of Delphi (French origin).
Which name is older, Ines or Delphine?
In US records, Ines first appears in 1883 and Delphine in 1880, so Delphine has the longer recorded history.