DH’s family is very religious and we both like the name [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] but I’m worried his family will just rip it apart because of the connection to it in the Bible. Should that really be a concern for us and keep it off our list? Or do you think it would be okay to add it?
I wouldn’t add it, but it wigs me out, personally, to think of naming a daughter that. I also would be concerned about family drama. I guess it depends how much you love it?
There are other names with similar sounds that don’t have the baggage.
We like the softness in sound of the name, though we do have other names on our list that we really like! We don’t want to have to give that baggage it’s just unfortunate that it comes with it
It’s odd that people have such negative reactions to Biblical names. The Puritans (who executed women as witches for missing church and similar ‘sins’) freely used names like [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] and [name_f]Salome[/name_f]–it was enough that they were mentioned in the Bible–they didn’t have to be perfect humans.
I don’t understand at all how [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] can be regarded so negatively now, when, as @rkrd pointed out, the Puritans used [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] and even [name_f]Jezebel[/name_f] quite freely. I actually have [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] on my list, and I know of a little [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] (who’s parents are in fact church goers), and I don’t know of her having any problems. My mum’s family was rather religious, and they don’t seem to have an issue either, in fact, I’m not even fully up to date on what the problem with [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] is. I’ve heard of [name_m]Samson[/name_m] and [name_f]Delilah[/name_f], and I know the basics of the story, but that’s all. All that comes to mind for me is ‘hey there [name_f]Delilah[/name_f], what’s it like in [name_m]New[/name_m] [name_m]York[/name_m] City?’
That’s a really interesting way of looking at it! Thank you for another perspective!!
Another thought: there are several serial killers named [name_m]John[/name_m] something, but people are still naming their children [name_m]John[/name_m] aren’t they?!
I think there will always be a negative connection to any name we choose, whether we are aware of it or not.
If you love it, use it. It’s the name you are giving your daughter not the history or story 
It would also rule out names like [name_f]Eve[/name_f]… whose actions bought evil into the world according to the Bible.
I think [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] is pretty and could be paired with a cute middle that would balance it out for your family such as
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f]
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f] [name_f]Miriam[/name_f]
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f] [name_f]Bethany[/name_f]
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f] [name_f]Abigail[/name_f]
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f] [name_u]Eden[/name_u]
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f]
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f] [name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f] [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f]
[name_f]Delilah[/name_f] is a gorgeous sounding name! I think that if you want it, you should use it! To avoid all of the drama, talk with some of your family about the name and explain your reasons for why you are choosing it. Work through with them as calmly as you can and if they are really that horrified by your choice reinstate your reasons and allow them to help you choose a cute nickname that will make them feel less bothered about it. Either way, I am sure they will cherish your child no matter what their name is!
Here are some nicknames you may be able to use:
[name_f]Lilah[/name_f]
[name_f]Dee[/name_f]
[name_f]Lalah[/name_f]
[name_f]Ell[/name_f]
[name_f]Ellie[/name_f]
Be creative and let your family have some input! Good [name_m]Luck[/name_m]!
I really like [name_f]Delilah[/name_f]. One of the most delicate sounding names, imo. When I hear this name, I heard “Hey, there [name_f]Delilah[/name_f]” in my head and I wanna sing. I spent years in private [name_m]Christian[/name_m] and Catholic schools so I am definitely well aware about the biblical connection. I agree with @rkrd, we can’t expect them to be perfect humans. Naming a kid [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] (or even [name_f]Jezebel[/name_f]) doesn’t bother me at all.
There is a long running radio host in my area named [name_f]Delilah[/name_f], but otherwise it is an unusual and lovely choice. I agree with others that the biblical concerns are not very strong due to the fact that many people in the bible were sinners and we still use their names. Unfortunately, [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] (like [name_f]Eve[/name_f]) was employed to make women appear to be the downfall of mankind. It’s not a very pretty connection, but you could argue that using the name diminishes such stereotypes.
I’m pretty much in accordance with the “[name_f]Delilah[/name_f] could be difficult” idea. Maybe you can start a discussion with someone you trust from his family that goes something like “we are considering biblical names, any advice on names you really like or dislike?” If [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] doesn’t come up you are golden - if it comes up as a name they like: awesome. If it comes up as a name they really dislike or think it inappropriate I would probably avoid it.
We can give you all the advice we want but when it comes down to how a specific family feels toward a specific name - especially when religion is in the mix. You will only really know when you talk to them. My super religious family would hate [name_f]Delilah[/name_f], but my SO’s very Irish Catholic family loves it. So really I will come down to his specific family.
Well I talked to my [name_f]MIL[/name_f] today and mentioned how we’ve been looking at name ideas and came across [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] and asked if she would be offended or anything of the sort. Her response? “That would be one of the most horrible stigmas to give a poor, innocent child!”. So I’m thinking [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] will be a no-go at this point
I’m not even religious at all and [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] always sounds suspicious to me. It’s sort of like [name_f]Lilith[/name_f]. Great names, but reality bites. Other people are going to react negatively-- so why set your daughter up for that? And while yes maybe Puritans used it-- we don’t live in the 1600s, and enough people find the name distasteful to make it less than neutral. Why set your daughter up for that?
Also, the radio host [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] (who is super [name_m]Christian[/name_m]?! pretty incongruous) is inescapable in my part of the world-- every Korean deli in NYC plays her in the evenings. She is very mawkish and sentimental and NOT exactly the best association for the name.
[name_f]Lila[/name_f] is a beautiful name. So is [name_f]Dahlia[/name_f]. I prefer both to [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] actually. Maybe one of those? Good luck!