Salma Girl

Popularity: #674 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

SofiaSaraSamiraSelinaSabrinaSienna

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.

SelmaSalinaSaharaSanaSafaSulaSamaSima

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Salma was first seen in the United States in 1918.

Salma has ranked as high as #1051 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 278 0 278
2024 310 0 310
2023 295 0 295
2022 311 0 311
2021 290 0 290
2020 240 0 240
2019 289 0 289
2018 340 0 340
2017 362 0 362
2016 385 0 385
2015 351 0 351
2014 309 0 309
2013 324 0 324
2012 353 5 348
2011 313 0 313
2010 300 0 300
2009 360 0 360
2008 332 0 332
2007 349 0 349
2006 362 0 362
2005 358 0 358
2004 309 0 309
2003 377 0 377
2002 318 0 318
2001 364 0 364
2000 359 0 359
1999 442 0 442
1998 430 0 430
1997 291 0 291
1996 101 0 101
1995 49 0 49
1994 55 0 55
1993 46 0 46
1992 42 0 42
1991 41 0 41
1990 38 0 38
1989 26 0 26
1988 19 0 19
1987 24 0 24
1986 24 0 24
1985 12 0 12
1984 16 0 16
1983 13 0 13
1982 17 0 17
1981 16 0 16
1980 11 0 11
1979 5 0 5
1978 13 0 13
1977 5 0 5
1975 9 0 9
1974 10 0 10
1973 7 0 7
1972 10 0 10
1918 6 0 6

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. 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
CA 49
19%
TX 36
14%
FL 33
13%
NY 24
9%
IL 22
9%
MN 17
7%
NJ 10
4%
OH 10
4%
WA 9
4%
MI 8
3%
MA 8
3%
VA 8
3%
WI 7
3%
TN 6
2%
MD 6
2%