Shalom Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: sha-LOM /ʃəˈloʊm/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: peace
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Shalom originates from the Hebrew word "שָׁלוֹם" (shalom), which translates to "peace" or "wholeness." This term has deep roots in ancient Semitic languages, where it is associated with concepts of completeness and well-being. The transition of the name into English occurred through the biblical texts, particularly during the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek (the Septuagint) and later into Latin, which influenced early English translations.
The use of Shalom in religious contexts has solidified its significance, particularly within Jewish tradition, where it is often used as a greeting or farewell, embodying a wish for peace and harmony. Historically, the name Shalom is linked to various biblical figures and narratives.
It appears in the Old Testament, notably in the context of blessings and prayers for peace, such as in the Book of Numbers, where the priestly blessing includes the phrase "May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:26). The name also resonates with the figure of King Solomon, whose name is derived from the same root and is often associated with wisdom and peace, as he is known for his peaceful reign and the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem during the 10th century BCE.
Culturally, Shalom carries significant weight in Jewish liturgy and tradition, often invoked in prayers and rituals. Its symbolic meaning extends beyond mere absence of conflict; it encompasses a holistic sense of well-being and fulfillment.
The name has also been embraced in various forms within Jewish communities, with diminutives like Shali or Shalomah appearing in some contexts. The enduring legacy of Shalom reflects its deep spiritual and cultural resonance, making it a name that embodies a fundamental aspiration for peace throughout history.
Famous people named Shalom
In this section, you will find notable people named Shalom. 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 Shalom who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Shalom 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.
Shalom Auslander is an author and screenwriter best known for Foreskin's Lament, Hope: A Tragedy, and the TV series Bored to Death.
Shalom Harlow is a model and actress best known for her work in the fashion industry and films like The Last Goodbye and Vanilla Sky.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shalom, 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 Shalom. 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 Shalom was first seen in the United States in 1947.
Shalom has ranked as high as #1257 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in New York, California, Florida, Maryland, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Shalom has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Shalom 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 Shalom was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Shalom (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 |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 25 | |
| CA | 6 | |
| FL | 6 | |
| MD | 6 | |
| MI | 6 | |
| TX | 5 |
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 Shalom.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 96 |
| 2023 | 97 |
| 2022 | 92 |
| 2021 | 106 |
| 2020 | 91 |
| 2019 | 89 |
| 2018 | 71 |
| 2017 | 80 |
| 2016 | 77 |
| 2015 | 91 |
| 2014 | 74 |
| 2013 | 61 |
| 2012 | 66 |
| 2011 | 66 |
| 2010 | 69 |
| 2009 | 67 |
| 2008 | 51 |
| 2007 | 71 |
| 2006 | 50 |
| 2005 | 48 |
| 2004 | 62 |
| 2003 | 50 |
| 2002 | 52 |
| 2001 | 46 |
| 2000 | 32 |
| 1999 | 37 |
| 1998 | 30 |
| 1997 | 24 |
| 1996 | 30 |
| 1995 | 25 |
| 1994 | 24 |
| 1993 | 18 |
| 1992 | 32 |
| 1991 | 28 |
| 1990 | 21 |
| 1989 | 21 |
| 1988 | 20 |
| 1987 | 18 |
| 1986 | 12 |
| 1985 | 15 |
| 1984 | 13 |
| 1983 | 13 |
| 1982 | 18 |
| 1981 | 24 |
| 1980 | 12 |
| 1979 | 16 |
| 1978 | 10 |
| 1977 | 15 |
| 1976 | 18 |
| 1975 | 12 |
| 1974 | 11 |
| 1973 | 8 |
| 1971 | 8 |
| 1969 | 8 |
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1967 | 7 |
| 1966 | 5 |
| 1964 | 5 |
| 1963 | 10 |
| 1962 | 6 |
| 1960 | 7 |
| 1958 | 5 |
| 1953 | 5 |
| 1951 | 5 |
| 1947 | 6 |