Side, rib, or stumbling
In the Hebrew Bible, Zelah is a place name in the territory of Benjamin, known as the burial site of Saul and Jonathan. While its literal meaning refers to a side or rib, it is often interpreted in a geographical context as a slope or side of a hill. As a given name, it remains extremely rare and offers a unique alternative to names like Selah or Zella.
Less common today
Zelah isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #9,668 in 2019.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
