Question: Should the Hebrew Name Delilah be avoided?
Dear Rabbi,
My wife and I are both Jewish. I am Ashkenazi, she is Sephardic. We would like to name our first child Delilah. I am
familiar with the biblical story of Samson and Delilah, and I suppose that is why I have never met a Delilah. Is the name supposed to be avoided?
Andy
Answer: Dear Andy,
First of all, mazal tov.
Secondly, Delilah is a Philistine name, not a Jewish name. According to Alfred Kolatch's The New Name Dictionary: Modern English and Hebrew Names, Delilah means "hair" or "poor." And as you mentioned, the Biblical Delilah was not a positive figure.
My own suggestion would be to try and find a positive model for your child. But this is just my opinion - which is what you requested.
Best wishes,
Rabbi Dov
