Salah Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SAH-lah /ˈsɑː.lɑː/
Origin: Arabic; Hebrew
Meaning: Arabic: 'to be safe'; Hebrew: 'peace'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Salah has its roots in Arabic, derived from the word "صلاة" (salāh), which means "prayer" or "worship." This term is significant in Islamic tradition, as it refers to the five daily prayers that are a fundamental practice for Muslims. The name Salah is often associated with righteousness and piety, reflecting the importance of prayer in the Islamic faith.
The transition of the name into other languages and cultures typically retains its original meaning, emphasizing its spiritual connotation. Historically, the name Salah has been borne by notable figures in Islamic history.
One prominent example is Salah ad-Din (Saladin), the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria, who lived during the 12th century. He is renowned for his leadership during the Crusades and for his role in the recapture of Jerusalem in 1187.
His legacy has made the name Salah synonymous with nobility and valor in various cultural narratives, particularly in the context of Islamic history. Culturally, the name Salah resonates with themes of devotion and moral integrity.
It is often used in various Islamic communities as a reminder of the importance of faith and the practice of prayer. The name may also appear in various forms or diminutives across different cultures, but its core meaning remains tied to the concept of worship.
The enduring nature of the name Salah reflects its deep-rooted significance in religious and cultural contexts, making it a respected choice among many families.
Famous people named Salah
In this section, you will find notable people named Salah. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Salah who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Salah who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Salah Abdeslam is a criminal known for his involvement in the November 2015 Paris attacks.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Salah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Salah. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Salah was first seen in the United States in 1972.
Salah has ranked as high as #4891 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in New York, Minnesota, Texas, California, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Salah has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Salah is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Salah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Salah.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 58 | 36 | 22 |
| 2024 | 62 | 33 | 29 |
| 2023 | 60 | 39 | 21 |
| 2022 | 48 | 32 | 16 |
| 2021 | 51 | 26 | 25 |
| 2020 | 32 | 26 | 6 |
| 2019 | 56 | 49 | 7 |
| 2018 | 38 | 38 | 0 |
| 2017 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 2016 | 39 | 29 | 10 |
| 2015 | 29 | 29 | 0 |
| 2014 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 2013 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2012 | 37 | 27 | 10 |
| 2011 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 2010 | 33 | 33 | 0 |
| 2009 | 40 | 30 | 10 |
| 2008 | 31 | 26 | 5 |
| 2007 | 39 | 31 | 8 |
| 2006 | 40 | 34 | 6 |
| 2005 | 37 | 29 | 8 |
| 2004 | 33 | 26 | 7 |
| 2003 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 2002 | 28 | 23 | 5 |
| 2001 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2000 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1999 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1998 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1997 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1996 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1995 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1994 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1993 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1992 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1991 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1990 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1989 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1988 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1987 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1986 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1985 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1984 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1983 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1982 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1981 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1980 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1979 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1977 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1973 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1972 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Top States for Salah (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| IL | 5 | |
| NY | 5 |