Bilal
Meaningfreshness, moisture · Arabic
Bilal is an Arabic boy name meaning “freshness, moisture”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Bilal has the name Ila hiding inside it.
- GenerationBilal peaked in 2002, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Bilal you'd meet today is about 23 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Bilal would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 10,225 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryBilal first shows up in US birth records in 1964, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 61 years since.
- Where it's lovedWant to meet a lot of Bilals? Head to Minnesota, where it's the #446 boy name, its best showing of any state.
US births per million boys, 1964–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Bilal
Bilal is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “freshness, moisture”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It hit its peak in the 2000s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic boy names
- Boy name: Caleb · dog, faithful
- Boy name: Silas · of the forest
- Boy name: Aaron · possibly exalted
- Boy name: Amir · prince, commander
- Boy name: Xavier · new house
- Boy name: Jasper · treasurer
- Boy name: Muhammad · praised
- Boy name: Omar · flourishing, long-lived
Questions about the name Bilal
What does the name Bilal mean?
Bilal means “freshness, moisture” and comes from Arabic.
What is the origin of the name Bilal?
Bilal is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Silas (“of the forest”), Aaron (“possibly exalted”) and Amir (“prince, commander”).
Is Bilal a boy or girl name?
Bilal is a boy name. In 2025, 167 US boys were named Bilal.
How popular is the name Bilal?
Bilal ranked #1,212 for US boys in 2025, given to 167 babies. Its best year was 2002, when it reached #954. Over the last five years it has climbed 76 places.
What should I know before naming my baby Bilal?
Bilal is an Arabic boy name meaning “freshness, moisture”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.