Salem

SAIL-em or sah-LEM

Biblical place-name or Arabic

"safe"

Salem Origin and Meaning

The name Salem is a girl's name meaning "safe".

Salem is a biblical place-name in Canaan, believed to be the same as Jerusalem. Americans may be more familiar with Salem as the name of the Massachusetts town famous for its witch trials in the late 1600s. It's also a popular Arabic name widely-used for both genders.

In the US, the name probably is chosen for its Biblical connection more often for girls, who make up more than half the babies named Salem. On the boys' side, the alternate Arabic version Salim is used about a third of the time, while for girls the feminine Arabic versions of the name Salima and Salimah, are also found.

The Salem cigarette brand folded in 2019, removing that negative association for the next generation.

Salem Rank in US Top 1000

# 420 in the US

Salem Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 1100 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Salem

• 420 US 2023
• 1100 Nameberry 2025
• 16 Unique 2018
• 59 Unisex 2023
• 780 Future 2028
• 68 Cats 2022

20 Names Similar to Salem

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The name Salem in Pop Culture

• Salem another name for Jerusalem (Ps. 76:2)
• Salem character from the web series RWBY
• Salem an American supernatural television series