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The short answer
Salem is a feminine name used in Arabic. Behind the Name describes it this way: "Alternate transcription of Arabic سالم (see Salim)." It ranked #436 for girls in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, alternate transcription of Arabic سالم (see Salim). The entry lists its usage as Arabic.
Editorial confidence: likely
Popularity
Salem ranked #436 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 | #436 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (Arabic) and that sit near Salem in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Salem mean?
Behind the Name does not give Salem a one-word meaning. It describes the name as follows: alternate transcription of Arabic سالم.
Is Salem a popular name?
Salem ranked #436 for girls in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Salem a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Salem appears in the girls' list; Behind the Name labels it masculine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Salem (1) — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
