Bilah as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Bilah

What is the meaning of the name Bilah ?

The baby name Bilah is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced IPA: /ˈbɪlə/ (respelling: BIL-uh); sometimes pronounced /ˈbiːlə/ (BEE-lah).

Bilah is Hebrew in Origin.

Bilah is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, best known from the Hebrew Bible. It corresponds to Bilhah (Hebrew: Bilhah/Bilhah), Rachel’s handmaid who bore Jacob two sons, Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30; 35:22). The etymology is debated: scholars relate it either to the root b-h-l “to be alarmed, dismayed,” or to b-l-h “to grow weak, wear out,” yielding interpretations such as “timid,” “bashful,” “faint,” or “troubled.” Because ancient vowels weren’t written, transliterations vary, and Bilah represents a streamlined modern spelling.

Usage has been sporadic in Jewish and Christian communities, with modest revival in modern Hebrew as Bilha. Documented variants include Bilhah, Bilha, and Bila; related diminutives are rare. The name’s biblical resonance suits families seeking compact, quietly classic choices. Note that Bilah is unrelated to the Arabic male name Bilal, despite phonetic similarity.