Salem Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 10, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Salem Name Meaning

Fact: Salem is famously associated with the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Salem Overview

Meaning

Peace, safe, complete, perfect

Gender

Girl, Gender-neutral

Origin

Hebrew, Arabic

Etymology

Originated from the Biblical place-name Salem, derived from the Hebrew word “shalom,” meaning “peace.”

Religion

Christianity, Islam

Pronunciation

/ˈseɪləm/

Popularity

Salem is a name that sees usage in various regions, particularly in Arabic-speaking countries and the United States. In the USA, Salem was ranked as the 629th most popular name for boys in 2023​

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

5 (Visionary, Expansive, Adventurous)

Name Styles

Cool, Edgy, Mythological

Associated Traits

Mysterious, calm, introspective, unique

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Salem is a name with deep historical roots, associated with both the ancient city of Jerusalem and the concept of peace in many cultures.

Name Day

September 29th (France), December 22nd (Slovakia)
A Deep Dive

Salem Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Salome, Shalom, Salemah, Solomon, Selma

Common Nicknames

Sam, Lem, Sal, Sally, S

Diminutives

Samy, Lemmy, Salie, Sali, Lemy

Famous People

  • Salem Al Fakir
    (Swedish Musician)
  • Salem Ludwig
    (American Actor)
  • Salem bin Laden
    (Saudi Businessman)
  • Salem Chalabi
    (Iraqi-American Lawyer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Salem Saberhagen
    ("Sabrina the Teenage Witch," TV Series)
  • "Salem's Lot"
    (Novel by Stephen King)
  • "Salem"
    (TV Series)
  • "Salem Falls"
    (Novel by Jodi Picoult)
  • "Salem"
    (Album)

Places

  • Salem City
    (Oregon, USA)
  • Salem City
    (Massachusetts, USA)
  • Salem City
    (Tamil Nadu, India)
  • Salem City
    (Virginia, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Salem?

Salem means “peace.” The name Salem evokes qualities of being calm and harmonious.

What Is the Origin of The Name Salem?

Salem has its roots in the Hebrew word “shalom,” which means “peace.” The name is historically significant, as it is associated with the ancient city of Jerusalem, originally called “Salem” in biblical texts. It also appears in various Semitic languages, underscoring its deep cultural and linguistic history in the Middle East.

Salem Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Salem in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#5062021#4482022#4172023
Top 3 Rankings#4172023#4482022#5062021

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Salem

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023417
(+31 from 2022)
729
(+31 from 2022)
0.04168
2022448
(+58 from 2021)
698
(+84 from 2021)
0.03893
2021506
(+101 from 2020)
614
(+135 from 2020)
0.03427
2020607
(+141 from 2019)
479
(+102 from 2019)
0.02710
2019748
(+260 from 2018)
377
(+120 from 2018)
0.02055
20181008
(+187 from 2017)
257
(+53 from 2017)
0.01382
20171195
(+89 from 2016)
204
(+16 from 2016)
0.01080
20161284
(+140 from 2015)
188
(+26 from 2015)
0.00971
20151424
(+95 from 2014)
162
(+18 from 2014)
0.00830
20141519
(+576 from 2013)
144
(+53 from 2013)
0.00736
20132095
(+109 from 2012)
91
(+6 from 2012)
0.00472
20122204
(+491 from 2011)
85
(+20 from 2011)
0.00438
20112695
(-26 from 2010)
65
(-2 from 2010)
0.00335
20102669
(-311 from 2009)
67
(-15 from 2009)
0.00342
20092358
(+415 from 2008)
82
(+17 from 2008)
0.00405
20082773
(+322 from 2007)
65
(+9 from 2007)
0.00312
20073095
(-5 from 2006)
56
(+2 from 2006)
0.00265
20063090
(-227 from 2005)
54
(-3 from 2005)
0.00258
20052863
(+170 from 2004)
57
(+6 from 2004)
0.00281
20043033
(+257 from 2003)
51
(+7 from 2003)
0.00253
20033290
(-581 from 2002)
44
(-12 from 2002)
0.00219
20022709
(+99 from 2001)
56
(+4 from 2001)
0.00284
20012808
(+645 from 2000)
52
(+14 from 2000)
0.00263
20003453
(-306 from 1999)
38
(-3 from 1999)
0.00190
19993147
(+25 from 1998)
41
(+2 from 1998)
0.00211
19983172
(+276 from 1997)
39
(+6 from 1997)
0.00201
19973448
(+1291 from 1996)
33
(+12 from 1996)
0.00173
19964739
(+107 from 1995)
21
(+1 from 1995)
0.00110
19954846
(+599 from 1994)
20
(+3 from 1994)
0.00104
19945445
(+2606 from 1993)
17
(+7 from 1993)
0.00087
19938051
(-2044 from 1992)
10
(-5 from 1992)
0.00051
19926007
(+1980 from 1991)
15
(+5 from 1991)
0.00075
19917987
(-106 from 1990)
10
No change from 1990
0.00049
19907881
(-432 from 1989)
10
No change from 1989
0.00049
19897449
(-782 from 1988)
10
(-1 from 1988)
0.00050
19886667
(-332 from 1987)
11
No change from 1987
0.00057
19876335
(+277 from 1986)
11
(+1 from 1986)
0.00059
19866612
(+949 from 1985)
10
(+2 from 1985)
0.00054
19857561
(-2022 from 1984)
8
(-4 from 1984)
0.00043
19845539
(+673 from 1983)
12
(+2 from 1983)
0.00067
19836212
(+2010 from 1982)
10
(+3 from 1982)
0.00056
19828222
(-1433 from 1980)
7
(-2 from 1980)
0.00039
19810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19806789
(+524 from 1979)
9
(+1 from 1979)
0.00051
19797313
(-368 from 1978)
8
No change from 1978
0.00046
19786945
(-605 from 1977)
8
(-1 from 1977)
0.00049
19776340
(-292 from 1976)
9
No change from 1976
0.00055
19766048
First SSA data recorded
9
First SSA data recorded
0.00057
19750
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19740
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19730
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19720
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19710
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19700
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19690
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19680
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19670
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19660
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19650
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19640
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19630
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19620
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19610
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19600
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19590
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19580
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19570
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19560
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19550
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19540
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19530
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19520
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19510
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19500
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19490
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19480
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19470
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19460
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19450
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19440
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19430
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19420
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19410
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19400
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19390
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19380
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19370
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19360
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19350
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19340
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19330
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19320
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19310
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19300
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19290
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19280
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19270
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19260
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19250
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19240
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19230
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19220
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19210
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19200
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19190
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19180
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19170
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19160
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19150
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19140
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19130
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19120
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19110
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Salem

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1862021#2102022#1582023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#6132021#7372022#6042023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#5532021#5592022#5902023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#3772021#2612022#3782023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2532021#3142022#1852023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#8052021#6842022#6542023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3782021#4182022#4972023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2182021#1732022#2102023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#4752021#2942022#2132023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#5692021#3882022#4152023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#5062021#3002022#3452023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3592021#1732022#1712023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#4482021#2892022#3812023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#7852021#5722022#6072023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#3912021#4652022#3182023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#4862021#5102022#4102023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#7942021#4452022#4632023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#4782021#4302022#3022023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#5232021#6392022#6612023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#5462021#2672022#2682023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#10172021#8792022#11982023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3422021#1732022#2932023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#8252021#3462022#3882023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4262021#3842022#2572023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#6892021#5112022#6012023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4342021#3562022#3582023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#6662020#6012022#5362023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#7272021#6312022#6432023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4262021#3842022#6612023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1932020#2372021#1312023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#8732020#5482022#9152023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4612021#5362022#6432023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3572021#4352022#4432023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3232021#1662022#3722023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#13072020#11692021

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2042021#2562023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3052023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#4572023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1742023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#5972023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#8362021

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2282023

Popularity Rankings for Salem in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#15712020#16242021#9282022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Salem a Name for Boys or Girls?

Salem is often chosen for both boys and girls because it signifies peace. Its broad cultural use and the positive meaning add to its gender-neutral charm.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Salem

Salem in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Salem Al Fakir (Musician, born 1981): A Swedish musician and singer who has collaborated with many international artists.
  • Salem Ludwig (Actor, 1915–2007): An American actor who appeared in numerous films and television shows over a long career.
  • Salem bin Laden (Businessman, 1946–1988): A Saudi businessman and the eldest half-brother of Osama bin Laden.
  • Salem Chalabi (Lawyer, born 1963): An Iraqi-American lawyer who played a significant role in the trial of Saddam Hussein.
  • Salem Saberhagen ("Sabrina the Teenage Witch," 1996 TV Series): A talking black cat and former witch sentenced to spend 100 years as a cat for attempting to take over the world.
  • "Salem's Lot" (1979 Novel by Stephen King): A town plagued by vampires, featuring the struggles of its residents to combat the undead.
  • "Salem" (2014 TV Series): A series centered around the infamous Salem witch trials and the dark, supernatural forces at play.
  • "Salem Falls" (2001 Novel by Jodi Picoult): A story about a man trying to rebuild his life after being falsely accused of a crime in a small town.
  • "Salem" (2010 Album): An influential album in the witch house music genre, blending dark, atmospheric sounds with electronic beats.
  • "Salem's Daughter" (2009 Comic Book Series): A horror comic about a young woman inheriting dark powers and a haunted legacy.
  • Salem City (Oregon, USA): The capital city of Oregon, located in the Willamette Valley.
  • Salem City (Massachusetts, USA): A historic coastal city famous for its maritime heritage.
  • Salem City (Tamil Nadu, India): A major city in southern India, known for its textile industry.
  • Salem City (Virginia, USA): An independent city adjacent to Roanoke in Virginia.
  • Salem Township (Michigan, USA): A township in Washtenaw County, offering a mix of rural and suburban areas.
  • Salem City (New Jersey, USA): A city in Salem County, situated on the Salem River.

Similar Names to Salem

Sibling Names for Salem

Parents Who Like the Name Salem Also Like

Salem is just the beginning. Let’s continue this name exploration together in the next post. Can’t wait to share more with you!
Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
  • Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
  • Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
  • Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.
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Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

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