"shade, shadow, protection"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Zillah
Pronunciation: [ z-IHL-uh ]
Does Zillah flow with your last name?
An ancient Hebrew name meaning protective shade
English
Jewish
Christian/Biblical
American
Biblical
Vintage
Rare
Spiritual
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Zillah
Zillah appears in Genesis 4:19-22 as one of the wives of Lamech — a descendant of Cain — and mother of Tubal-cain (legendary first metalworker) and Naamah. The Hebrew name derives from 'tzilah' (צִלָּה), meaning 'shadow' or 'shade.' In the arid landscapes of the ancient Near East, shade was not merely comfort but survival — evoking a sense of protective refuge. The name's rarity in modernity makes it feel both genuinely ancient and distinctively fresh.
Zillah saw use among Puritan colonists in England and New England who mined Genesis for unusual biblical names. Emily Brontë gave the name renewed literary life in Wuthering Heights (1847), where Zillah is a servant at Wuthering Heights. Today it appeals to parents seeking authentically rare names with genuine historical roots rather than invented alternatives.
In Hebrew tradition, Zillah belongs to the antediluvian genealogies — names so ancient they predate Noah's flood in the biblical timeline. Her son Tubal-cain is credited as the ancestor of all metalworkers, making Zillah the mother of a foundational human craft. The shade metaphor resonates across desert cultures, where shadow meant life itself.
Historical Record
Zillah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 258 babies have been named Zillah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Zillah is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #6,129 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Zillah's son Tubal-cain is credited in Genesis as the ancestor of all who work with bronze and iron — making her the biblical mother of metalworking
- Emily Brontë placed Zillah as a servant character in Wuthering Heights (1847), one of the few appearances of this name in canonical English literature
Zillah in Other Languages
Greek
Ζίλλα
Arabic
زيلة
French
Zillah
German
Zilla
Hebrew
צִלָּה (Tzillah)
Spanish
Zila
Popularity Over Time
#6,129
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Zillah
Z
Zillah Eisenstein
Writer
1948
American feminist political theorist and professor emerita at Ithaca College; author of 'The Radical Future of Liberal F...
American feminist political theorist and professor emerita at Ithaca College; author of 'The Radical Future of Liberal Feminism' and other influential works
Z
Zillah (Biblical)
Other
Wife of Lamech in Genesis 4:19-22; mother of Tubal-cain (first metalworker) and Naamah — one of the earliest named women...
Wife of Lamech in Genesis 4:19-22; mother of Tubal-cain (first metalworker) and Naamah — one of the earliest named women in the Hebrew Bible
Z
Zillah (Wuthering Heights) Fictional
Other
Servant character in Emily Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights' (1847), serving at Wuthering Heights and providing key narrative...
Servant character in Emily Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights' (1847), serving at Wuthering Heights and providing key narrative perspective
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Compare Zillah with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,129
- Total SSA Count
- 20
- Cultural Origins
- English Jewish Christian/Biblical American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Zill
Zia
Zilly
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Zillah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Old English (Audrey root) origin
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Ancient Greek origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Zillah
What does the name Zillah mean?
"shade, shadow, protection" (from Hebrew). Zillah appears in Genesis 4:19-22 as one of the wives of Lamech — a descendant of Cain — and mother of Tubal-cain (legendary first metalworker) and Naamah. The Hebrew name derives from 'tzilah' (צִלָּה), meaning 'shadow' or 'shade.' In the arid landscapes of the ancient Near East, shade was not merely comfort but survival — evoking a sense of protective refuge. The name's rarity in modernity makes it feel both genuinely ancient and distinctively fresh.
What is the origin of the name Zillah?
Zillah has Hebrew, English, Jewish, Christian/Biblical, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "shade, shadow, protection".
Is Zillah a boy or girl name?
Zillah is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Zillah?
Zillah is pronounced z-IHL-uh.
How popular is the name Zillah?
Zillah is currently ranked #6129 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Zillah?
Common nicknames for Zillah include Zill, Zia, and Zilly.
What are good middle names for Zillah?
Popular middle name pairings include Zillah Rose, Zillah Mae, Zillah Dawn, Zillah Grace, Zillah Faith, Zillah Marie, and Zillah Pearl.
What are good sibling names for Zillah?
Names that pair well with Zillah as siblings include Arabella, Miriam, Isadora, Ezra, Elias, Zara, Lyra, and Adah.
How many syllables does Zillah have?
Zillah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Zillah a common or rare name?
Zillah is an uncommon name, ranked #6129 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Zillah
Zillah is a girl name with English, Jewish, Christian/Biblical, and American origins . The name means "shade, shadow, protection" in Hebrew .
Zillah is currently ranked #6,129 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Zillah has 2 syllables and is pronounced z-IHL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Zillah include Zill, Zia, and Zilly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis