Girl name
Zilal name meaning
“shadows; areas of shade”
Zilal means “shadows” or “areas of shade.” It comes from Arabic ẓilāl, the plural of ẓill, meaning shade or shadow. Used as a feminine given name in Türkiye, it evokes the shaded ground beneath spreading tree branches, a concrete natural image that reflects the word’s literal meaning.
What does Zilal mean?
Shadows; areas of shade
In Turkish: gölgeler; gölgelik alanlar
Zilal suggests the coolness and shelter created by shade, rather than just an isolated shadow. Its Arabic source word also occurs in the Quran, where it describes shadows or shaded spaces in different settings. In Turkish it is understood more readily as a poetic personal name than as an everyday word.
Origin of the name Zilal
From Arabic ẓilāl (ظلال), meaning shadows or shade. It is a plural form of ẓill, 'shadow' or 'shade.'
| Linguistic origin | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Naming tradition | Islamic |
| In Islamic history | Names found in the Quran |
| Is Zilal in the Quran? | As a word · ظلال · 77:41The Arabic word “ظلال,” the source of Zilal, occurs in the Quran as an ordinary word meaning shades or shadows. |
| Starts with | Z · Zi |
Names are shared across communities. Where a name is common says nothing certain about any one person’s background, faith or origin.
How to pronounce Zilal
| Syllables | 2 · 5 letters · 5-letter girl names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /zilal/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | ظلال |
Is Zilal a girl’s name?
Yes, Zilal is used mostly as a girl’s name. See all girl names.
Zilal does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 1 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Spellings and similar names
Names that sound like Zilal
Names with related meanings
- Defne♀Bay laurel, an aromatic evergreen tree
- Asel♀Honey, the sweet substance made by bees
- Lina♀A kind of date palm
- Eylül♀September
- Nehir♀River, large flowing stream
- Ada♀İsland
- Ceylin♀Gazelle
- Doğa♀Nature
- Yağmur♀Rain falling as drops of water
- Deniz♂♀Sea, an extensive body of salt water
- Efnan♀Branches, boughs
- Damla♀Small drop of liquid
Famous people named Zilal
- Zilal Direk
FAQ about the name Zilal
What is the meaning of Zilal?
Zilal means “shadows; areas of shade”. From Arabic ẓilāl (ظلال), meaning shadows or shade. It is a plural form of ẓill, 'shadow' or 'shade.'
Is Zilal a girl’s name?
Yes, Zilal is used mostly as a girl’s name.
Is Zilal in the Quran?
As a word. The Arabic word “ظلال,” the source of Zilal, occurs in the Quran as an ordinary word meaning shades or shadows. (e.g.: 77:41)
What is the origin of the name Zilal?
Zilal is of Arabic origin.
How many syllables does Zilal have?
Zilal has 2 syllables and 5 letters.
How popular is the name Zilal?
Zilal does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 1 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Famous people named Zilal?
Notable people named Zilal include Zilal Direk.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm13799 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake