Find out how popular the last name Bilal is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Bilal.

Bilal, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Bilal surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bilal in America

Bilal is the 17014th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bilal surname appeared 1,670 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Bilal.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bilal to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Bilal

The surname Bilal originated in the Arabian Peninsula during the early days of Islam. It is derived from the Arabic word "bilal," which means "the white" or "the bright one." This name has deep roots in Islamic history and is believed to have been the name of Bilal ibn Rabah, a former Abyssinian slave who became one of the most trusted companions of Prophet Muhammad.

Bilal ibn Rabah, who lived from around 580 to 642 CE, is renowned for being the first muezzin (the person who calls Muslims to prayer) in Islam. He was entrusted with this important role by Prophet Muhammad himself, and his powerful voice echoed across the city of Medina, summoning the faithful to worship. Bilal's unwavering devotion and courage in the face of persecution have made him an iconic figure in Islamic tradition.

The surname Bilal can be traced back to various historical records and manuscripts from the 7th century onwards. One notable mention is found in the Sirat Rasul Allah, a biographical work on the life of Prophet Muhammad written by Ibn Ishaq in the 8th century. This text highlights the pivotal role played by Bilal ibn Rabah in the early Muslim community.

Throughout history, several prominent individuals have borne the surname Bilal. One such figure was Bilal al-Habashi (1055-1127), a renowned Islamic scholar and theologian from Iran. He was widely respected for his expertise in Quranic exegesis and Islamic jurisprudence. Another notable bearer of this name was Bilal al-Muqri (1480-1557), a celebrated calligrapher and artist from Ottoman Turkey, whose intricate works adorned numerous mosques and palaces.

In the modern era, the surname Bilal has been carried by several influential figures, including Bilal Philips (born 1946), a Canadian Muslim scholar and renowned author who has written extensively on Islamic theology and contemporary issues. Additionally, Bilal Khan (born 1983) is a famous Pakistani cricketer who has represented his country in numerous international matches.

The surname Bilal continues to hold significant cultural and religious significance, particularly within the Muslim community. Its origins can be traced back to the early days of Islam, and its legacy is intertwined with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and the rich tapestry of Islamic history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bilal

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Bilal.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bilal was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Bilal has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Bilal was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bilal, please contact us.

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