Rising since 2006, #7,491 for girls today.
Popularity of Zilah since 2006
Babies named Zilah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 20 |
| 2010s | 90 |
| 2020s | 82 |
Meaning & origin
Zilah is a modern name that first appeared in U.S. records in 2006 and has been gradually gaining in popularity. As of 2025, it ranks 7,491 nationally, with approximately 1 in every 114,805 baby girls receiving this name. Its peak usage occurred in 2020. The name fits the trend of soft, feminine '-lah' endings shared by names like Mila and Lila. While its exact meaning remains debated, it is often linked to the biblical name Zillah, meaning 'shadow' or 'shade.' Zilah has not yet been recorded in any top state lists, indicating its niche appeal but growing presence across the country.
Zilah is a modern coinage that likely draws from the Hebrew name Zillah, which appears in the Old Testament as the name of Lamech's second wife, meaning 'shadow' or 'shade.' Alternatively, it may be a respelling or variant of Zila, a name of uncertain origin. As a contemporary invention, it has been used in the United States since at least 2006, possibly influenced by the trend of names ending in '-lah'.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zee, Lala, Z
Sibling names for Zilah
Names that share Zilah's style, for a brother or sister.
