Delight Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Delight originates from Middle English, meaning joy or pleasure, and has evolved through Old French and Latin. It embodies traits of happiness and positivity, and while it has no biblical relevance, it gained popularity in the 19th century. Today, it is viewed as a unique and cheerful name.
Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Across generations, 'Delight' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2249th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2164th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2913th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7450th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 14676th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 35406th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 14506th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Delight' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Delight"
Pronunciation
/dɪˈlaɪt/
Origin
Middle English
Etymology
The name 'Delight' is derived from the Middle English word 'delite', which comes from the Old French 'delit', meaning 'pleasure' or 'joy'. This, in turn, has roots in the Latin word 'delectare', meaning 'to please' or 'to delight'.
Meaning
joy, pleasure, happiness
Language Evolution
Old French: delit, Middle English: delite, Modern English: delight
Historical Usage
The name Delight has been used since the Middle Ages, becoming more popular in English-speaking countries during the 19th century as it was often associated with positive connotations of joy and happiness.
Variants & Derivatives
Del, Dee, Delly
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Delight is seen as unique and somewhat whimsical, often associated with positivity and cheerfulness. It is not commonly used as a first name but can be found as a middle name or in literary contexts.
Famous People
Delight H. F. Smith, an American singer, Delight Johnson, a notable figure in community service
📊 Delight Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Delight Name Visualizations
✨ Delight Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 32 peak births in 1946
Geographic Spread
Popular across 0 US states, with strongest presence in various regions
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Delight"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Delight"
"Delight" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2249th of 9107 | 270 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2164th of 9204 | 281 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2913th of 12526 | 302 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 7450th of 19264 | 87 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 14676th of 27321 | 42 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 35406th of 35406 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 14506th of 30306 | 59 |
Regional Popularity of "Delight" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Delight" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Delight"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Delight" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.