Beulah

Beulah is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the word bə‘ūlāh (בְּעוּלָ֑ה), meaning “married.” In the Old Testament, the name is used metaphorically in Isaiah 62:4 to refer to the land of Israel, which is called Beulah to signify that it is no longer forsaken but joyfully married to its God. The King James Bible transliterates the word directly, translating it as “married,” while alternative translations render it as “espoused.” Etymologically, the word is related to baal, meaning “owner, master, lord,” as noted by the Online Etymology Dictionary.

Historical and Cultural Significance

As an English given name, Beulah has been in use since the Protestant Reformation, when Biblical names gained popularity. In addition to its religious roots, the name appears in literary works such as John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress, where “Beulah” refers to a mystical land of peace and plenty located between Earth and Heaven. The name also appears in the poetry of William Blake, notably in The Four Zoas, where Beulah represents a state of imaginative bliss or a feminine realm.

In the original Hebrew, the name appears as Be'ula, a direct transliteration of the Biblical word.

Notable Bearers

• Beulah Annan (1899–1928), an American woman accused of murder; her story inspired the character Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago.
• Beulah Armstrong (1895–1965), an American mathematician.
• Beulah Bewley (1929–2018), a British public health physician.

Key Facts

• Meaning: “Married”
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: Feminine given name
• Usage: English, English Bible
• Related: Be'ula (Biblical Hebrew)