
The short answer
Salma is a feminine name used in Arabic and Urdu. Behind the Name describes it this way: "Means ‘safe’ in Arabic, derived from سلم (salima) meaning ‘to be safe’." It ranked #937 for girls in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, means ‘safe’ in Arabic, derived from سلم (salima) meaning ‘to be safe’. The entry lists its usage as Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Indonesian.
Editorial confidence: established
Popularity
Salma ranked #937 for girls in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #937 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (Arabic) and that sit near Salma in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Salma mean?
Salma means "safe", according to Behind the Name.
Is Salma a popular name?
Salma ranked #937 for girls in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Salma a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Salma appears in the girls' list; Behind the Name labels it feminine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Salma — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.