Salem
Salem is a unisex name of Hebrew origin meaning “peace.” It ranked #436 in the United States in 2025. Salem derives from the Hebrew 'shalom' meaning 'peace' and is linked to the ancient name for Jerusalem.
how do you pronounce Salem?
SAY-lem
Hear it spoken aloud with our AI pronunciation tool.
what does Salem mean?
The name Salem means “peace.” It comes from the Hebrew language tradition.
Salem derives from the Hebrew 'shalom' meaning 'peace' and is linked to the ancient name for Jerusalem. Despite its association with the Salem witch trials, the name has surged in popularity, embraced for its witchy, atmospheric quality.
where does the name Salem come from?
Wikipedia states plainly that Salem is a given name of Arabic origin, sometimes an English rendering of the Arabic name Salim, which contradicts the Hebrew shalom/Jerusalem derivation given elsewhere; that Hebrew reading is not supported by the source retrieved here. The source adds that although Salim and Salem are distinct names in Arabic, their meanings are etymologically related.
the history of Salem
The retrieved source doesn't address the Salem witch trials or the name's more recent rise in popularity, so nothing further can be added about its history.
how popular is this name?
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #436 |
| 2024 | #432 |
| 2023 | #417 |
| 2022 | #448 |
| 2021 | #506 |
| 2020 | #608 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
what are the nicknames and variants of Salem?
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Salem?
- Salem (Sabrina the Teenage Witch cat)
- Salem, Massachusetts (historic witch trials city)
- Salem (ancient name related to Jerusalem)
what names are similar to Salem?
what names go well with Salem?
Sibling names that share Salem's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 · Curated by HushName editorial
love Salem? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
start free consultation