Fun Facts About the Name Zilas
- 24 babies named Zilas: U.S. records list 24 babies given the name Zilas from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Zilas Mean?
Zilas is an English spelling variant of Silas, a Greek name meaning "of the forest" or "woodland." The Greek Silas is usually understood as a shortened form of Silouanos, the Greek rendering of Latin Silvanus. That Latin name comes from silva, "wood" or "forest," and was also the name of a Roman god of woods and fields.
The Z spelling is an orthographic variant of the S spelling and does not point to a different root. The derivation from silva is the usual explanation; the exact process by which Silvanus became Silas in Greek is not fully documented, and some older explanations have treated Silas as an independent Semitic name. The New Testament, however, uses Silas and Silouanos for the same person, which supports the connection.
Zilas Name History & Origins
The name Silas enters Christian history through the Acts of the Apostles. Silas is a leader and prophet in the Jerusalem church, chosen to carry the council's letter to Antioch, and later Paul's companion on the second missionary journey. He is imprisoned with Paul at Philippi and travels with him to Thessalonica and Berea. The letters of Paul and Peter call the same associate Silvanus, the Latin form behind the Greek Silas.
From the New Testament, Silas passed into Christian naming in Europe, with forms such as Silas in English and Silvano in Italian. Zilas shares that background but differs in spelling: it uses initial Z in place of S. The Greek New Testament and the Latin Bible use the S forms, so the Z spelling is an orthographic variant rather than a separate traditional name.
How Popular is the Name Zilas?
Zilas has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2023. Its best rank was #9,745 in 2023.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #13,916 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2023 | #9,745 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2019 | #12,131 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2014 | #14,063 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Zilas Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have aspiration and inspiration, hope and guidance. Since you are intuitive and perceptive and you understand human nature. You have the power to achieve. Diplomacy and discretion make you a good mediator. You are inspired, introspective, and have a good understanding of the human heart. You can have the ability to commercialize your artistic talents successfully. You are often a mystery to others and to yourself. You are always reaching for something higher, without exactly knowing what that "higher" is. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Zilas's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Zilas's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.