Salka

Used as a pet name for Sara(h) or Salome(a), especially in Nordic countries. Salka Valka (full name: Salvör Valgerður) is the feisty protagonist of Nobel Prize-winning Icelandic author Halldór Laxness’ novel of the same name. Since then, it has been in rare but regular use in the Nordic countries, especially Iceland.

Salka also has some history of use in Jewish communities. A famous bearer is actress and writer Salka Viertel, who was born Salomea Sara Steuermann.

Salka could also be a nickname or diminutive of the Slavic name Rusalka.

Pronounced SAHL-kuh.