Delaney

de-LAY-nee

Irish

"dark challenger; dark river"

Delaney Origin and Meaning

The name Delaney is a girl's name of Irish origin meaning "dark challenger; dark river".

Delaney has been a popular surname-style choice since 90s, when it joined other Irish surnames such as Cassidy, Kennedy, and Mallory on the US Charts. Buoyant, bright, and cheerful, it ranks in the US Top 250 and is given to nearly 1300 babies every year.

Derived from the Old Irish name Dubhshláine, Delaney can mean "dark challenger" or "dark river" depending on which translation is used. Alternatively, it could be an English surname, taken from the Old French de l'aunnaie", meaning "from the alder grove".

Only ever given to a handful of babies each year since the early 1900s, Delaney leapt up the charts in the 90s, It's rise in popularity could be attributed to its similarity in sound or style to the likes of Mackenzie, Destiny, Kimberly, or Kaylee, or it may be that parents liked it as a fresh twist on Elaine and a new way to the nickname Lainey.

Alternatively, pop cultural influences might have driven the name up the charts, with singer Delaney Bramlett releasing new music, actress Dana Delany starring in the successful TV drama, China Beach , and the Delaney family in The Baby Sitters Club book series.

Delaney Rank in US Top 1000

# 234 in the US

Delaney Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 337 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Delaney

• 234 US 2023
• 337 Nameberry 2025
• 433 Future 2028

20 Names Similar to Delaney

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Delaney.

• Brynn
• Teagan
• Ainsley
• Hadley
• Kenna
• Lainey
• Leighton
• Reese
• Halle
• Blair
• Lilah
• Hallie
• Lyla
• Adaline
• Blaire
• Emery
• Keagan
• Dylan
• Reagan
• Kinsley

Famous People Named Delaney

• Delaney Collins Canadian hockey player
• Delaney Gibson American singer/songwriter
• Delaney Katherine McBride (b. 1994) daughter of singer Martina McBride
• Delaney Buchwald (b. 1995) daughter of singer Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane
• Delaney Gillespie (b. 2012) daughter of cricketer Jason Gillespie
• Sarah Delaney Buffett (b. 1992) daughter of singer Jimmy Buffett

The name Delaney in Pop Culture

• Delaney "Lane" Park McEvoy main character in Kat Falls' "Inhuman."
• "Delaney " song by YouTube band Cimorelli
• "Miss Delaney " song by the band Jack's Mannequin
• Amanda Delaney minor character in Baby Sitter's Club series
• Jess Delaney main character in Mother,Daughter Book Club series by Heather Vogel Frederick
• "Delaney Talks to Statues " song by singer Jimmy Buffet