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    The first name Salem

    A unisex name from Hebrew.

    Pronounced /ˈseɪləm/ 2 syllables Unisex Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Hebrew origin

    From Biblical Hebrew שָׁלֵם (šālēm) (Genesis 14:18).

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 20 boys were named Salem, making it the 1,359th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2023, with 22 births (#1,243).

    01530 1996200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    314
    babies named Salem, 1996–2025
    #1,359
    rank in 2025
    2023
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Salem with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Salem at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 711 girls born in the United States were named Salem, the 436th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 2023, when 734 were.

    0400800 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    11,178
    babies named Salem since 1880
    #436
    rank in 2025
    2023
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Salem

    4 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Salem Al-Hajri
      Association football player, born 1996
    • Salem Ilese
      American singer-songwriter (1999-)
    • Salem Saad
      Emirati footballer (1978-2009)
    • Salem Chaker
      Algerian linguist, born 1950

    More Hebrew unisex names

    All 346 names of Hebrew origin

    Questions

    What does the name Salem mean?
    From Biblical Hebrew שָׁלֵם (šālēm) (Genesis 14:18).
    What is the origin of the name Salem?
    From Biblical Hebrew שָׁלֵם (šālēm) (Genesis 14:18).
    How popular is the name Salem?
    In 2025, 20 boys born in England and Wales were named Salem, ranking 1,359th. Its peak was 2023, with 22 births.
    Is Salem a boy's or a girl's name?
    Both. Of the 11,178 US babies named Salem since 1880, 58% were girls and 42% boys.
    When was Salem most popular?
    2023 in the United States, when 734 babies were named Salem, its highest rank at 417th.
    How do you pronounce Salem?
    Salem is /ˈseɪləm/, 2 syllables.
    Is Salem also a surname?
    Yes. Salem is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.