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

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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.

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The name Salem is currently ranked #436 in U.S. births. and peaked for girls at #417 in 2023. The name is most popular in SALEM, SALEM, and SALEM. Salem is also used for boys, ranking #679 in 2025 (less popular).

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

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Salem is a Biblical place name in Canaan, believed to be the same as Jerusalem, as well as the Massachusetts town famous for its late 17th century witch trials. Salem is also a popular first name in its own right throughout the Arabic world.

In the US, about 400 babies of both genders were named Salem last year, but it's difficult to say how many of those were given the Biblical place-name and how many the Arabic version of the name. About 40 percent of the Salems were boys, with a significant number of baby boys given an alternate spelling of the Arabic name, Salim. 

One negative association of the name, the menthol cigarette, went out of business in 2019

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The name Salem is currently ranked #679 in U.S. births. and peaked for boys at #630 in 2023. The name is most popular in SALEM, SALEM, and SALEM. Salem is also used for girls, ranking #436 in 2025 (more popular).

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