A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Beulah since 1880
Babies named Beulah per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Beulah's real moment was 1901.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,866 |
| 1890s | 6,785 |
| 1900s | 9,716 |
| 1910s | 18,874 |
| 1920s | 18,626 |
| 1930s | 8,669 |
| 1940s | 4,408 |
| 1950s | 1,780 |
| 1960s | 671 |
| 1970s | 286 |
| 1980s | 169 |
| 1990s | 84 |
| 2000s | 79 |
| 2010s | 135 |
| 2020s | 104 |
Meaning & origin
Beulah was once a standard fixture in American nurseries, peaking at rank 1 in 1901 when it was among the most popular girls' names. Its use declined steadily through the 20th century, dropping to rank 5,917 by 2025, with about 1 in 80,363 girls receiving it in the latest data. However, its trajectory shows a notable upward trend since 2010, reflecting a broader revival of antique biblical and virtue names. The name is strongly associated with American religious history and 19th-century hymnody, and its recent modest comeback suggests a niche appeal among parents seeking distinctly vintage choices.
Beulah originates from the Hebrew word bəʿulah (בְּעוּלָה) meaning 'married'. In the Bible, Isaiah 62:4 uses it symbolically for the land of Israel, promised to be 'married' to God. The name was adopted by English Puritans in the 17th century as a virtue name and gained broader popularity in the 19th century, especially after John Bunyan's allegorical novel 'The Pilgrim's Progress' (1678) featured the 'Land of Beulah' as a place of rest near the Celestial City.
Where Beulah is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Beulah
Names that share Beulah's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Eunice, Kezia, Tabitha, Dorcas, Huldah, Ardis, Doretha, Gussie, Verlie, Berdine, Bernece, Beuna, Cloteal, Doreatha, Eather, Everlean, Maudell, Mettie, Reather, Reola, Arretta, Eletha, Ercell, Melvie, Rubena, Almetta, Belvie, Beola, Beva, Bonnetta, Clorene, Earma, Ermel, Ettamae, Eulene, Laruth, Leotta, Lurlean, Ovetta, Verbie, Verneal
Brothers: Elijah, Isaiah, Hezekiah, Josiah, Malachi, Delbert, Cletis, Lavern, Earlie, Edsel, Lenwood, Murl, Prentice, Theodis, Clell, Eulas, Leman, Pinkney, Tolbert, Zebediah, Asberry, Bluford, Eural, Hargis, Hearl, Lilton, Lytle, Orbie, Rabon, Ranson, Verbon, Virl, Buryl, Cleatus, Cloy, Eldrige, Luvern, Plez, Wildon
