Delaney
Delaney is a boy's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Descendant of Dubhshláine, meaning 'dark challenge' or 'dark defiance'.
Origin and history
Delaney is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Dubhshláine, historically associated with county Laois in Ireland. While much more popular for girls in recent decades, it has a long history of traditional unisex usage in the United States. Its soft phonetic flow makes it a well-established surname-as-first-name choice.
Popularity in the United States
1,213 babies in the United States have been named Delaney since 1880. It ranks #3485 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1854.
States where it is most popular
- CA (75.9 %)
- KY (24.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 21 |
| 1920-1930 | 15 |
| 1930-1940 | 52 |
| 1940-1950 | 48 |
| 1950-1960 | 78 |
| 1960-1970 | 86 |
| 1970-1980 | 166 |
| 1980-1990 | 125 |
| 1990-2000 | 237 |
| 2000-2010 | 192 |
| 2010-2019 | 120 |
| 2020-2029 | 73 |
Nicknames
Laney, Lanie, Dee
Fun facts
- The original Gaelic name Dubhshláine combines 'dubh' (dark) and 'slán' (defiance or safety).
- Though predominantly given to females today, Delaney has been continuously used for males in the U.S. since the 19th century.