Delany

Irish

"dark challenger; dark river"

Delany Origin and Meaning

The name Delany is a girl's name.

Delany is a feminine name with Irish roots, derived from the surname O'Dubhshlaine, meaning 'descendant of the dark challenger' or 'dark defiance.' The name has transformed through anglicization to its current form. While historically used as a family name, Delany gained popularity as a first name in the late 20th century, particularly in North America. Its appeal lies in its Irish heritage combined with a contemporary sound and the fashionable '-any' ending. The name strikes a balance between uniqueness and familiarity, with spelling variations including Delaney, which is typically more common. Delany offers the appealing nickname options of 'Del' or 'Laney.'