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Joanna vs Delilah

Which is more popular?
Delilah is more popular than Joanna today: about 4,137 US babies were given the name Delilah in 2025, compared with 997 named Joanna.
JoannaDelilah
Meaning God is gracious delicate / languishing (disputed)
Origin hebrew hebrew
Gender Girl Girl
Pronunciation joh-AN-uh dih-LY-lah
Syllables 3 3
First appeared18801880
Peak year1984 (3,332)2024 (4,254)
In 20259974,137
TrendSteadyNear its peak
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Joanna Delilah
18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeJoannaDelilah
2020s 6,139 23,499
2010s 11,409 25,018
2000s 12,970 7,610
1990s 16,287 1,822
1980s 22,216 1,895
1970s 15,281 1,477
1960s 9,196 802
1950s 5,151 1,633
1940s 4,709 740
1930s 3,914 539
1920s 2,233 605
1910s 1,186 501
1900s 391 195
1890s 389 209
1880s 290 138

What does Joanna mean?

From Greek Ioanna, the feminine of Ioannes (John), ultimately from Hebrew 'Yochanan' meaning 'Yahweh is gracious.' A New Testament name and a John-root grace name.

What does Delilah mean?

Meaning uncertain. Usually traced to the root dalal, 'to hang low, be low, languish, weaken,' giving the common glosses 'delicate' or '(she who) weakened' — and the Samson narrative plays on her bringing him low (Judges 16). Competing proposals include 'temptress' (from an Arabic root) and a shortened theophoric tied to Ishtar; some lexicons simply mark it 'unknown.' Treat as disputed.

Frequently asked questions

Is Joanna or Delilah more popular?

Delilah is more popular than Joanna today: about 4,137 US babies were given the name Delilah in 2025, compared with 997 named Joanna.

What is the difference between Joanna and Delilah?

Joanna means God is gracious (hebrew origin), while Delilah means delicate / languishing (disputed) (hebrew origin).

Which name is older, Joanna or Delilah?

In US records, Joanna first appears in 1880 and Delilah in 1880, so Joanna has the longer recorded history.