Girl name · Arabic
Salma
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: safe, peacefulSalma is a girl's name that comes from Arabic and means "safe, peaceful". It is used in Arabic and Spanish.
- Meaning
- Safe, peaceful
- Origin
- Arabic
- Gender
- Girl
- Say it
- SAL-mah (Arabic)
Meaning and origin of Salma
As a girl's name, Salma comes from Arabic and means "safe, peaceful". It is used in Arabic and Spanish.
In Arabic, say SAL-mah. In Spanish, say SAHL-mah. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Salma on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Salma on 3 lists.
“Safe, peaceful; soft and timeless.”
From Arabic names, arabic girl names
“Safe, peaceful; Arabic. Say SAL-mah”
From Egyptian names, names at the top of Egypt's birth lists
“Safe; Arabic. Actress Hayek of Veracruz. Say SAHL-mah”
From Mexican girl names, names of famous Mexican women
How popular is Salma?
- US rank in 2025
- #937
- 278 babies, 173 per million girls
- Best rank
- #569 in 1999
- 442 babies that year
- Babies since 1918
- At least 10,311
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 1 per million |
| 1920s | 0 per million |
| 1930s | 0 per million |
| 1940s | 0 per million |
| 1950s | 0 per million |
| 1960s | 0 per million |
| 1970s | 4 per million |
| 1980s | 10 per million |
| 1990s | 85 per million |
| 2000s | 189 per million |
| 2010s | 190 per million |
| 2020s | 177 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #740 | #767 | #804 | #919 | #1,048 | #919 | #898 | #907 | #872 | #937 |
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.
Names spelled like Salma
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
Names with a similar meaning
- AminaSafe, secure; also trustworthy, faithful (Arabic, girl)
- FedericoPeaceful ruler (Germanic, boy)
- FrederickPeaceful ruler (Germanic, boy)
- FadriquePeaceful ruler (Germanic, boy)
- FedericaPeaceful ruler (Germanic, girl)
- FietePeaceful ruler (Germanic, boy)
- FreddiePeaceful ruler (Germanic, boy)
- FrédéricPeaceful ruler (Germanic, boy)
- FredericaPeaceful ruler (Germanic, girl)
- FredrikPeaceful ruler (Germanic, boy)
Middle names for Salma
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
- BrookeSmall stream (Old English, girl)
- ElizaGod is my oath (Hebrew, girl)
- IsabelGod is my oath (Hebrew, girl)
- MagnoliaFlower named for botanist Pierre Magnol (French, girl)
- OliviaOlive tree (Latin, girl)
- PhilippaLover of horses (Greek, girl)
- VictoriaVictory, triumph (Latin, girl)
- ZinniaFlower named for Johann Zinn (English, girl)
More girl names from Arabic
- AliyahVariant of Aaliyah, high, lofty, sublime (Arabic, girl)
- FatimaOne who abstains (Arabic, girl)
- LeilaNight, from Arabic layl (Arabic, girl)
- NoorLight, radiance (Arabic, unisex)
- SadafSeashell, mother-of-pearl (Arabic, girl)
- AaliyahFeminine form of Aali, high, lofty, sublime (Arabic, girl)
- AishaAlive, living (Arabic, girl)
- AmberAmber, golden fossil resin (Arabic, girl)
- BushraGood news (Arabic, girl)
- FalakCelestial sphere, sky (Arabic, unisex)
Salma: common questions
What does the name Salma mean?
Salma comes from Arabic and means "safe, peaceful".
Is Salma a boy or girl name?
Salma is mainly a girl's name.
Where does the name Salma come from?
Salma comes from Arabic and means "safe, peaceful". Today it is used in Arabic and Spanish.
How do you pronounce Salma?
In Arabic, say SAL-mah. In Spanish, say SAHL-mah. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
How popular is the name Salma?
Salma ranked #937 in the US in 2025, with 278 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What names are similar to Salma?
Names spelled like Salma include Salwa, Sama, Sara, Salome and Sasha.
What middle names go with Salma?
Middle names that flow well with Salma include Brooke, Eliza, Isabel, Magnolia and Olivia. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.