Shalom Unisex

Popularity: #843 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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.

DavidEliIsaacSamuelNoahMicah

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.

SalomSolomonShlomoShayShaiShaiyaShalomayShalva

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Shalom was first seen in the United States in 1947.

Shalom has ranked as high as #2747 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, and Florida.

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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 146 95 51
2024 138 96 42
2023 146 99 47
2022 132 92 40
2021 143 107 36
2020 126 91 35
2019 119 89 30
2018 113 71 42
2017 132 80 52
2016 119 77 42
2015 142 91 51
2014 119 74 45
2013 111 61 50
2012 110 66 44
2011 105 66 39
2010 106 69 37
2009 105 67 38
2008 84 51 33
2007 106 71 35
2006 73 50 23
2005 71 48 23
2004 88 62 26
2003 71 50 21
2002 81 52 29
2001 73 46 27
2000 50 32 18
1999 54 37 17
1998 59 30 29
1997 40 24 16
1996 42 30 12
1995 32 25 7
1994 30 24 6
1993 18 18 0
1992 42 32 10
1991 42 28 14
1990 28 21 7
1989 26 21 5
1988 20 20 0
1987 18 18 0
1986 22 12 10
1985 15 15 0
1984 13 13 0
1983 19 13 6
1982 33 18 15
1981 24 24 0
1980 22 12 10
1979 21 16 5
1978 21 10 11
1977 26 15 11
1976 32 18 14
1975 21 12 9
1974 23 11 12
1973 20 8 12
1972 11 0 11
1971 18 8 10
1970 6 0 6
1969 16 8 8
1968 5 5 0
1967 7 7 0
1966 5 5 0
1964 5 5 0
1963 10 10 0
1962 6 6 0
1960 7 7 0
1958 5 5 0
1953 5 5 0
1951 5 5 0
1947 6 6 0

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. 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
NY 25
28%
NJ 22
25%
TX 12
14%
CA 11
13%
MD 6
7%
MI 6
7%
FL 6
7%