Billal is a unique and distinctive male given name of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "bilal", which means "night". The name is often associated with Bilal ibn Rabah, an African slave who was freed by Prophet Muhammad and later became the first muezzin (the person who calls Muslims to prayer) in Islam.
The name Billal has a rich history and cultural significance. It is believed that Bilal ibn Rabah was given this name because he had a beautiful voice that could reach great heights, which made him perfect for the role of muezzin. Throughout Islamic history, many important figures have borne this name, including several medieval Muslim scholars and theologians.
In modern times, Billal has gained popularity as a given name in various countries around the world, particularly in Muslim communities. Despite its Arabic origins, it is not limited to Muslims and can be found among people of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds who appreciate its unique sound and meaning.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Billal has seen a varying degree of popularity in the United States over the past few decades. The name first appeared in the top 1000 baby names list in 1991 with 12 births that year. It reached its peak popularity in 1993 with 17 births, indicating that this was the year when the name was most commonly chosen for newborns.
However, the popularity of Billal has been relatively low and inconsistent since then. There were periods where the number of births dropped significantly, such as between 1994 to 2006, with an average of only 5-6 births per year. It's worth noting that there were no recorded births with the name Billal in some years, including 1996 and 2008-2009.
More recently, there has been a slight resurgence in the popularity of Billal. In 2010, there were 9 births with this name, and it remained consistent at around 5-6 births per year until 2016. This indicates that while Billal may not be one of the most popular names in the United States, it is still chosen for newborns every year.
In total, over the period from 1990 to 2016, there were 142 births with the name Billal in the United States. This suggests that while the name may not be extremely common, it has maintained a consistent presence among American baby names throughout this time frame.