Delano

Meaning of Delano

Delano (pronounced də-LAN-oh) is a masculine given name of French Huguenot origin, derived from the surname de La Noye—literally “from the alder grove.” Brought to colonial Massachusetts in 1621 by Philippe de la Noye, it later entered wider American consciousness as the maternal family name of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. After peaking in the 1930s and ’40s, Delano’s popularity gradually declined and has since settled in the lower tiers of the top 1,000—registering 31 births for a rank of 893 in 2024. With its blend of historical resonance and clear, two-stress rhythm, Delano offers parents a choice that is both quietly distinguished and comfortably modern.