Selah Girl

Popularity: #207 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SAY-lah //ˈseɪ.lə//

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: to pause; to rest

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Selah has its roots in the Hebrew language, specifically from the word 'סֶלָה' (Selah), which appears frequently in the Psalms of the Hebrew Bible. The exact meaning of Selah is debated among scholars, but it is often interpreted as a musical or liturgical term, possibly indicating a pause for reflection or a musical interlude.

The term was adopted into the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, known as the Septuagint, and subsequently found its way into Latin and early Christian texts, eventually influencing English translations of the Bible, including the King James Version published in 1611. Historically, Selah is mentioned in several Psalms, such as Psalms 3, 4, and 46, where it serves as a marker within the text, suggesting a moment of contemplation or a shift in the musical score.

This usage has contributed to its enduring presence in religious contexts, particularly within Jewish and Christian liturgies. The name has also been associated with various biblical figures and themes of praise and worship, reinforcing its significance in spiritual traditions.

Culturally, Selah has resonated with themes of reflection, pause, and reverence, making it a name that embodies a sense of depth and contemplation. Its use in religious texts has allowed it to maintain a presence in various cultural and spiritual practices over the centuries.

The name may also be linked to the concept of musicality, given its association with the Psalms, which are often sung or recited in worship settings. While Selah is primarily recognized as a term within scripture, its adoption as a personal name reflects a broader appreciation for its historical and spiritual connotations.

Famous people named Selah

In this section, you will find notable people named Selah. 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 Selah who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Selah 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.

Selah Sue is a singer-songwriter best known for her self-titled album, Reason, and her hit single Raggamuffin.

Selah Marley is a model and singer best known for her work with Ivy Park and her music career.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Selah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MiraLilaTaliaZaraNinaElena

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Selah. 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.

SelaSelinaSeleneSierraSabrinaSophieSiennaSoleil

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Selah was first seen in the United States in 1962.

Selah has ranked as high as #471 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia.

In the past 5 years the name Selah has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Selah 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 Selah 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 Selah.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,429 13 1,416
2024 1,155 21 1,134
2023 1,039 12 1,027
2022 893 8 885
2021 837 9 828
2020 735 13 722
2019 709 8 701
2018 747 15 732
2017 705 10 695
2016 688 0 688
2015 697 7 690
2014 583 6 577
2013 552 0 552
2012 581 6 575
2011 517 11 506
2010 468 8 460
2009 426 7 419
2008 385 5 380
2007 344 0 344
2006 330 6 324
2005 268 5 263
2004 179 0 179
2003 189 10 179
2002 161 7 154
2001 124 0 124
2000 124 8 116
1999 107 7 100
1998 53 5 48
1997 33 0 33
1996 40 0 40
1995 40 0 40
1994 16 0 16
1993 24 0 24
1992 19 0 19
1991 16 0 16
1990 11 0 11
1989 8 0 8
1988 9 0 9
1987 16 0 16
1986 12 0 12
1985 8 0 8
1984 6 0 6
1983 7 0 7
1982 17 0 17
1981 10 0 10
1980 11 0 11
1979 9 0 9
1978 14 0 14
1977 8 0 8
1976 6 0 6
1974 7 0 7
1973 5 0 5
1972 6 0 6
1967 5 0 5
1962 6 0 6

Top States for Selah (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
TX 125
11%
CA 106
10%
FL 94
8%
NC 52
5%
GA 51
5%
TN 44
4%
OH 40
4%
VA 39
4%
PA 39
4%
NY 34
3%
MI 33
3%
AZ 30
3%
MN 27
2%
WI 26
2%
IN 25
2%
SC 24
2%
CO 23
2%
IL 22
2%
WA 21
2%
MO 17
2%
AL 16
1%
OK 14
1%
NJ 14
1%
MD 13
1%
AR 13
1%
MT 12
1%
OR 12
1%
KY 12
1%
NE 12
1%
LA 11
1%
HI 11
1%
KS 10
1%
NV 10
1%
ID 10
1%
UT 9
1%
MS 9
1%
WV 8
1%
IA 8
1%
NM 7
1%
MA 7
1%
SD 7
1%
WY 7
1%
NH 5
0%