Unisex name · Hebrew
Salem
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: peaceSalem is a gender-neutral name that comes from Hebrew and means "peace". It is used in English.
- Meaning
- Peace
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Gender
- Unisex
- US rank
- #436 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Salem
As a gender-neutral name, Salem comes from Hebrew and means "peace". It is used in English.
Salem is also a surname: the 3,902nd most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 8,836 people. See the most common last names.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Salem on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Salem on 3 lists.
“A famous witch-trial town, and the talking black cat of Sabrina the Teenage Witch”
From Black cat names, spooky and witchy black cat names
“Named for the talking cat in Sabrina the Teenage Witch”
From Bat names, halloween bat names
“From a Hebrew root for peace; shares a name with the Massachusetts town”
From Witch names, witchy names for girls
How popular is Salem?
In 2025, 711 girls and 400 boys in the US were named Salem.
As a girl’s name
- US rank in 2025
- #436
- 711 babies, 442 per million girls
- Best rank
- #417 in 2023
- 734 babies that year
- Babies since 1976
- At least 6,491
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 0 per million |
| 1920s | 0 per million |
| 1930s | 0 per million |
| 1940s | 0 per million |
| 1950s | 0 per million |
| 1960s | 0 per million |
| 1970s | 2 per million |
| 1980s | 5 per million |
| 1990s | 12 per million |
| 2000s | 30 per million |
| 2010s | 94 per million |
| 2020s | 407 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,285 | #1,196 | #1,013 | #749 | #608 | #506 | #448 | #417 | #432 | #436 |
As a boy’s name
- US rank in 2025
- #679
- 400 babies, 234 per million boys
- Best rank
- #631 in 2023
- Most babies: 442 in 2024
- Babies since 1912
- At least 4,687
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 5 per million |
| 1920s | 4 per million |
| 1930s | 1 per million |
| 1940s | 1 per million |
| 1950s | 1 per million |
| 1960s | 1 per million |
| 1970s | 6 per million |
| 1980s | 9 per million |
| 1990s | 13 per million |
| 2000s | 24 per million |
| 2010s | 66 per million |
| 2020s | 225 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,247 | #1,152 | #1,215 | #926 | #808 | #715 | #680 | #631 | #634 | #679 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Salem
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
Names spelled like Salem
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
Names with a similar meaning
- IrenePeace, tranquility (Greek, girl)
- AxelMy father is peace (Hebrew, boy)
- FridaPeace; in Old Norse, beloved (Germanic and Old Norse, girl)
- MiraPeace, from Slavic Mir- names; in Sanskrit, sea (Slavic, girl)
- CasimirDestroyer of peace (Slavic, boy)
- EirenePeace (Greek, girl)
- OliveTree of peace (Latin, girl)
- AbdulsalamServant of Peace (Arabic, boy)
- AbsalomFather is peace (Hebrew, boy)
- AmandeepLamp of peace (Punjabi, unisex)
Middle names for Salem
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More names from Hebrew
- AdamMan, humankind (Hebrew, boy)
- DavidBeloved one (Hebrew, boy)
- AnnaFavor, grace (Hebrew, girl)
- DanielGod is my judge (Hebrew, boy)
- EvaLiving, life (Hebrew, girl)
- MiriamForm of Mary, meaning uncertain; perhaps Egyptian beloved (Hebrew, girl)
- NoahRest, repose (Hebrew, boy)
- SarahPrincess, noblewoman (Hebrew, girl)
- EliasMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, boy)
- GabrielGod is my strength (Hebrew, boy)
Salem: common questions
What does the name Salem mean?
Salem comes from Hebrew and means "peace".
Is Salem a boy or girl name?
Salem is used for both boys and girls. In 2025, 711 girls and 400 boys in the US were named Salem, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Salem come from?
Salem comes from Hebrew and means "peace". Today it is used in English.
How popular is the name Salem?
Salem ranked #436 in the US in 2025, with 711 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Salem?
Forms of Salem with the same meaning and origin include Salome (English), Shalom (Hebrew) and Solomon (English).
What middle names go with Salem?
Middle names that flow well with Salem include Carter, Charity, Clementine, Heath and Isabella. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.