Bilal

At a Glance

Meaning

Traditionally glossed 'moisture, freshness'; best known via Bilal ibn Rabah, an early companion of Muhammad

Origin

Arabic

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

bee-LAHLListen

Bilal is a boy's name of Arabic origin, pronounced bee-LAHL. It has a worldly, classic feel that has lasted over time. The name is best known through Bilal ibn Rabah, an early companion of Muhammad. You may see it glossed as 'moisture, freshness', but that's a traditional gloss rather than a firmly established meaning, and linguists aren't fully certain of the root.

Meaning & Origin of Bilal

Meaning: Traditionally glossed 'moisture, freshness'; best known via Bilal ibn Rabah, an early companion of Muhammad.

Origin: Arabic.

A common claim: Bilal means 'moisture, freshness' Actually: This is a traditional/folk gloss rather than a firmly established etymology; the name's prominence mainly comes from Bilal ibn Rabah, and linguists aren't fully certain of the root meaning.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Bilal

Popularity of Bilal

Bilal peaked in the U.S. at #954 in 2002, with 168 babies given the name. In 2024 it ranked #1181 with 175 babies, so the number of babies named Bilal has stayed fairly steady even as its rank has slipped.

Names Like Bilal

These names share Bilal’s style, era or origin.

• Abdullah
• Ibrahim
• Ismail
• Mohamed
• Mohammad
• Mohammed

FAQ

What does the name Bilal mean?

Traditionally glossed ‘moisture, freshness’; best known via Bilal ibn Rabah, an early companion of Muhammad. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Bilal?

Bilal is pronounced bee-LAHL (IPA: /bɪˈlɑːl/).

Is Bilal a popular name right now?

Bilal peaked at #954 in 2002 and is ranked #1181 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1964–2024.)

Make Bilal Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Bilal, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.