Salma Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SAL-ma /ˈsæl.mə/
Origin: Arabic; Hebrew
Meaning: Arabic: peaceful; Hebrew: to be safe
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Salma has its roots in Arabic, derived from the word "salam," which means "peace" or "safety." This etymological connection highlights the name's connotations of tranquility and well-being. The name has been used in various forms across different cultures and languages, often retaining its core meaning related to peace.
As Arabic spread through trade and cultural exchange, the name Salma found its way into other languages and regions, including Persian and Turkish, before being adopted into English and other Western languages. Historically, the name Salma has been associated with notable figures in Islamic tradition.
One of the earliest references can be traced to Salma bint 'Amr, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, who lived in the 7th century. The name also appears in various literary works and poetry throughout the centuries, often symbolizing beauty and grace.
In medieval Arabic literature, Salma was a popular name among poets and writers, further embedding it into the cultural fabric of the Arabic-speaking world. Culturally, Salma has resonated through its associations with peace and harmony, making it a name that carries significant weight in various traditions.
It is often linked to ideals of serenity and stability, which have contributed to its enduring presence in both historical and contemporary contexts. The name also has diminutive forms, such as Salimah, which can be found in some cultures, reflecting a familial or affectionate usage.
Overall, Salma embodies a rich linguistic heritage and a deep cultural significance that transcends its simple meaning.
Famous people named Salma
In this section, you will find notable people named Salma. 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 Salma who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Salma 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.
Salma Hayek is an actress and producer best known for Frida, Desperado, and From Dusk Till Dawn.
Fictional characters named Salma
The following list of fictional characters named Salma is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Salma is a fictional character from the video game series Final Fantasy. She is a prominent character in Final Fantasy XIV, serving as a key figure in the game's storyline.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Salma, 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 Salma. 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 Salma was first seen in the United States in 1918.
Salma has ranked as high as #871 nationally, which occurred in 1999, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Minnesota, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Salma has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Salma 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 Salma was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Salma (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 49 | |
| TX | 36 | |
| FL | 33 | |
| NY | 24 | |
| IL | 22 | |
| MN | 17 | |
| NJ | 10 | |
| OH | 10 | |
| WA | 9 | |
| MA | 8 | |
| VA | 8 | |
| WI | 7 | |
| MD | 6 | |
| TN | 6 |
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 Salma.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 310 |
| 2023 | 295 |
| 2022 | 311 |
| 2021 | 289 |
| 2020 | 240 |
| 2019 | 289 |
| 2018 | 340 |
| 2017 | 362 |
| 2016 | 385 |
| 2015 | 351 |
| 2014 | 309 |
| 2013 | 324 |
| 2012 | 348 |
| 2011 | 313 |
| 2010 | 300 |
| 2009 | 360 |
| 2008 | 332 |
| 2007 | 349 |
| 2006 | 362 |
| 2005 | 358 |
| 2004 | 309 |
| 2003 | 377 |
| 2002 | 318 |
| 2001 | 364 |
| 2000 | 359 |
| 1999 | 442 |
| 1998 | 430 |
| 1997 | 291 |
| 1996 | 101 |
| 1995 | 49 |
| 1994 | 55 |
| 1993 | 46 |
| 1992 | 42 |
| 1991 | 41 |
| 1990 | 38 |
| 1989 | 26 |
| 1988 | 19 |
| 1987 | 24 |
| 1986 | 24 |
| 1985 | 12 |
| 1984 | 16 |
| 1983 | 13 |
| 1982 | 17 |
| 1981 | 16 |
| 1980 | 11 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1978 | 13 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1975 | 9 |
| 1974 | 10 |
| 1973 | 7 |
| 1972 | 10 |
| 1918 | 6 |