The name Delia has a rich history and interesting etymology.

The Name Delia And Its Meaning

The name Delia is taken from a word that was kind of a slur for the god Artemis of the moon. It was turned into many other names, but now it is seen as a nickname for those names.

Delia is derived from the Greek word “Delios,” which means “of Delos.” Delos is a sacred island in the Aegean Sea, considered the birthplace of the Greek gods Artemis (goddess of the hunt, moon, and wilderness) and Apollo (god of music, light, poetry, and prophecy).

Variations

Delia can also be a shortened form of longer names like Cordelia (meaning “heart” in Celtic) or Adelia (meaning “noble” in Germanic).

Someone could be called Bedelia or Cordelia, and they could take this name as a shortened form of their given name. The meaning of Delia makes you always think of the moon, and that makes it a little bit more magical than it could have been at any other time.

Popularity

Delia isn’t among the most popular names. In the United States, it peaked in the 1920s and hasn’t reached the top 1000 since the 1970s. In England and Wales, it hasn’t been in the top 100 since the 19th century.

The popularity of Delia has not peaked all that much because it is kind of seen as a name for an old lady. This is the kind of name that is cute like a storybook character, but then some people perceive it to be older than it is. The name here is one that you will use just because you want to take some of the complications out of the name that you are giving. Some people like to do that because they think that they need to be sure that they have chosen something that is still simple and a little bit timeless that will remind them of history from long ago.

Famous People Called Delia

The most famous English person with the name Delia has to be Delia Smith the celebrity cook and author who’s famous for her home cooking style. She is also a shareholder in the football club Norwich City.

Other Delia’s include:

• Delia Smith (b. 1941): Renowned British cook and television personality known for her approachable recipes and focus on home cooking.
• Delia Derbyshire (1937-2001): Pioneering English electronic musician and composer, best known for her work on the early seasons of Doctor Who.
• Delia Fiallo (1914-2009): Prolific Cuban romance novelist and screenwriter, known for her passionate and dramatic storytelling.

Useful Resources

Discover the meaning and origin of other English girls’ names on our website.