Dela is a unique and captivating name of African origin. It is derived from the Ashanti tribe in Ghana, West Africa, where it means "to be patient." The name Dela is believed to have been first used by the Ashanti people as a way to encourage patience and resilience among their children.
The name Dela has a rich history within the Ashanti community. According to folklore, it was traditionally given to girls who were born during challenging times or when the family was facing adversity. The name served as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and inner strength in overcoming obstacles.
Over time, Dela has become popular beyond its African roots and can now be found in various parts of the world. Despite its widespread use, it remains a distinctive name that stands out among more common choices.
In summary, Dela is an exquisite name with deep cultural significance. Its meaning, "to be patient," embodies values such as resilience, perseverance, and inner strength. As a name, Dela carries the spirit of its African heritage while being accessible to people of all backgrounds who appreciate its uniqueness and profound meaning.
The name Dela has had a varied history of popularity in the United States since the late 19th century. The first recorded birth was in 1888 with five babies being given this name.
From then until the mid-20th century, the number of births per year fluctuated between a low of five to a peak of ten in some years such as 1954 and 1967. Interestingly, there were periods where the popularity seemed to increase slightly, for example, from 1923 to 1926 with consistently around seven or eight births per year.
However, after the 1960s, the name Dela began to decline in popularity. Between 1974 and 2002, there were only five years where more than five babies were given this name annually. In fact, from 1985 onwards, the number of births per year with the name Dela was consistently five or less until 2009 when it jumped back up to eight.
The early 21st century has seen a resurgence in popularity for the name Dela. Since 2014, there have been more than five births each year with this name, reaching double digits in recent years such as 2017 (nine), 2019 (twelve), and even higher in 2020 with fifteen babies named Dela.
In total, from 1888 to 2023, there have been 531 recorded births of the name Dela in the United States. This demonstrates that while it may not be one of the most popular names, Dela has maintained a consistent presence throughout history and has seen recent popularity.