Zilpah
Drooping, trickling, falling
Name Details
| Origin Language | Hebrew |
|---|---|
| Lucky Number | #3 |
| Lucky Days | Friday |
| Lucky Colors | Brown, Gold |
| Lucky Stone | Topaz |
What Does the Name Zilpah Mean?
Zilpah is a Hebrew name that holds the beautiful meaning of "Drooping, trickling, falling". Rooted in Biblical Hebrew, the ancient language of the Torah, Psalms and prophetic literature, this name connects the child to a heritage of meaning, identity and cultural depth. Hebrew names carry thousands of years of Judeo-Christian heritage. Many express a direct relationship with God — names meaning "God is gracious," "God is my judge," or "God hears" reflect the theological depth embedded in the language itself.
Biblical names connect a child to specific scriptural figures and their stories of faith, courage, wisdom and divine purpose — giving the name both a definition and a narrative the child can grow into. Understanding the linguistic origin and cultural setting of a name like Zilpah helps parents make a choice that is both personally meaningful and culturally informed. Explore more names in our Christian Girls Names collection to compare options with similar roots and meanings.
In traditional name numerology, Zilpah is associated with lucky number 3. The colors Brown, Gold are considered favorable , especially on Friday. The gemstone Topaz is traditionally associated with this name. Numerology is a cultural tradition valued by many families — while it is not a science, it adds a personal layer of meaning to the naming process for those who appreciate these customs.
Explore More Christian Girls Names
Zilpah is part of our curated Christian Girls Names collection, where every name includes its meaning, origin, pronunciation guide and cultural context. Browse the full collection to discover names with similar meanings and origins — and use the compare tool to evaluate your favorites side by side.
History / Notes
The name Zilpah has significant biblical history as Leahs handmaid and the mother of Gad and Asher, two of the twelve tribes of Israel. In Genesis 30:9-13, when Leah ceased bearing children, she gave her maid Zilpah to Jacob as a concubine. Zilpah bore Gad and Asher, and Leah named them, seeing their birth as Gods blessing despite her position as the less-loved wife. The names meaning is uncertain; it may derive from a root meaning "to drop" or "trickle," perhaps referring to tears or to falling droplets. This could connect to the tears of a marginalized womanΓÇöa handmaid, not a wife, whose children would belong to her mistress. Yet these children became ancestors of two tribes of Israel, showing Gods blessing on the lowly. Zilpah appears also in Genesis 35:26 and 37:2, listed among those who went to Egypt with Jacob. She is one of the marginalized women through whom God built the nation of Israel. J. Hacketts essay in the Womens Bible Commentary explores how women like Zilpah, though often overlooked, were essential to the fulfillment of Gods promises. The name carries the tears of the marginalized, the blessing on the lowly, and the birth of tribes from a handmaid.