Holding steady.
Popularity of Beaulah since 1882
Babies named Beaulah per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Beaulah's real moment was 1900.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 52 |
| 1890s | 160 |
| 1900s | 246 |
| 1910s | 514 |
| 1920s | 678 |
| 1930s | 309 |
| 1940s | 209 |
| 1950s | 80 |
| 1960s | 20 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Beaulah is an early 20th century respelling of Beulah, a name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1882 and reached its peak usage in 1900, when it was most commonly given to newborn girls. Though it has not ranked in recent decades, the trajectory has shown a remarkably stable, if minimal, annual count, indicating a niche but persistent use. As a variant that incorporates the French-inspired 'eau' spelling, Beaulah reflects the era's fashion for embellished forms of simpler names. Its biblical roots give it a traditional resonance, while its rarity today makes it a distinctive choice for parents seeking an old-fashioned name with a poetic sound.
Beaulah is a variant spelling of Beulah, a name derived from the Hebrew word meaning 'married' or 'claimed as a wife,' used in the Bible (Isaiah 62:4) as a symbolic name for the land of Israel. In English usage, Beulah became popular in the 17th century among Puritans and was later revived in the 19th century, often with the popular belief that it meant 'beautiful.' The spelling Beaulah emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influenced by the French word 'belle' (beautiful). It peaked in popularity around 1900.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bea, Belle
Sibling names for Beaulah
Names that share Beaulah's style, for a brother or sister.
