Zebula Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZEB-yoo-lah /ˈzɛb.jʊ.lə/
Origin: Hebrew; African
Meaning: Hebrew: 'God is my strength'; African: 'to be strong'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Zebula has its roots in the Hebrew name "Zebulun" (זְבוּלֻן), which is derived from the Hebrew verb "zabal" meaning "to dwell" or "to honor." In the biblical context, Zebulun is one of the twelve tribes of Israel, named after the sixth son of Leah and Jacob, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. The name's journey into English can be traced through the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, where it appears as "Zeboulon," and subsequently into Latin texts, which further influenced its adoption into Old French and eventually into Middle English forms.
This linguistic evolution reflects the broader transmission of biblical names through various cultures and languages over centuries. Historically, the tribe of Zebulun is noted for its association with maritime trade and navigation, as described in the blessings of Jacob and Moses.
The tribe's territory was located near the Sea of Galilee, which contributed to its significance in ancient Israelite society. The name Zebulun appears in significant biblical texts, including the Torah and later historical accounts, solidifying its importance in Jewish heritage.
The name has been referenced in various religious and cultural contexts throughout the centuries, including the King James Bible, which played a crucial role in the dissemination of biblical names and stories in the English-speaking world during the early 17th century. Culturally, the name Zebula, as a variant of Zebulun, carries connotations of honor and dwelling, reflecting the values associated with the tribe's legacy.
The name's historical resonance is further enhanced by its connections to themes of community and identity within the context of the Israelite tribes. While specific diminutive forms are less documented, the enduring nature of the name within biblical and historical narratives underscores its significance in the cultural memory of the Jewish and Christian traditions.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zebula, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Zebula. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Zebula was first seen in the United States in 1979.
Zebula has ranked as high as #1120 nationally, which occurred in 1979, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Zebula has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Zebula is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Zebula was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Zebula
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Zebula.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1979 | 6 |