Salem
- Meaning
- Peace or safety, depending on origin
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What does Salem mean?
Salem means “Peace or safety, depending on origin”.
Salem can be a biblical place-name associated with peace, or represent an Arabic name connected with safety or soundness. The exact Arabic form matters when assigning a precise meaning. These histories should not be reduced to one universal translation for every personal-name use.
Salem, Massachusetts, gives the name a separate American geographical association, including its history of witch trials. A family choosing the biblical place or an Arabic name may intend a very different reference. Sal is a possible nickname. Explaining the intended route helps distinguish religious, linguistic, and modern place-name reasons for choosing the same spelling.
Nicknames & variations
Explore short forms, spellings, and related names.
Nicknames for Salem
Short forms for everyday use.
How popular is Salem?
United States · 2025Explore how often Salem is used and how its ranking has changed.
- US girls rank
- #436 2025 · #1 is most popular
- Girls named Salem
- 711 Recorded births in 2025
- Change in births
- 1.0% Fewer than 2024
Salem over time
United States · Girls
Recorded births
Hover or tap the chart, or move the slider. You can also use the keyboard arrow keys.
Yearly data & usage
Rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys. The summary highlights girls, the most common recorded usage in 2025. Use the chart’s usage selector to explore both categories.
| Year | Usage | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | #679 | 400 |
| 2025 | Girls | #436 | 711 |
| 2024 | Boys | #634 | 442 |
| 2024 | Girls | #432 | 718 |
| 2023 | Boys | #631 | 440 |
| 2023 | Girls | #417 | 734 |
| 2022 | Boys | #680 | 400 |
| 2022 | Girls | #448 | 700 |
| 2021 | Boys | #715 | 364 |
| 2021 | Girls | #506 | 614 |
| 2020 | Boys | #808 | 288 |
| 2020 | Girls | #608 | 480 |
| 2019 | Boys | #926 | 236 |
| 2019 | Girls | #749 | 377 |
| 2018 | Boys | #1,215 | 155 |
| 2018 | Girls | #1,013 | 257 |
| 2017 | Boys | #1,152 | 165 |
| 2017 | Girls | #1,196 | 205 |
| 2016 | Boys | #1,247 | 149 |
| 2016 | Girls | #1,285 | 188 |
| 2015 | Boys | #1,286 | 139 |
| 2015 | Girls | #1,433 | 162 |
| 2014 | Boys | #1,491 | 109 |
| 2014 | Girls | #1,524 | 144 |
Years reflect available birth records. Missing records do not mean zero births.
Names like Salem
Explore the connection, then save your favorites to compare.
Eden
Unisex- Meaning
- Place of pleasure, delight
Shares an origin with Salem.
Jordan
Unisex- Meaning
- Flowing down; descending
Shares an origin with Salem.
Elliott
Unisex- Meaning
- The Lord is my God
Shares an origin with Salem.
Noa
Unisex- Meaning
- Motion in Hebrew; other traditions differ
Shares an origin with Salem.
Shiloh
Unisex- Meaning
- Biblical place-name; meaning uncertain
Shares an origin with Salem.
Ariel
Unisex- Meaning
- Lion of God
Shares an origin with Salem.
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