Zulema Girl

Popularity: #884 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: zoo-LEH-mah /zuˈlɛ.mə/

Origin: Arabic; Spanish

Meaning: Arabic: peace; Spanish: tranquility

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Zulema has its roots in Arabic, deriving from the word "salama," which means "peace" or "safety." This etymology reflects a broader cultural significance, as names associated with peace have been valued across various societies. The name transitioned into Spanish during the period of Moorish influence in the Iberian Peninsula, where Arabic language and culture significantly impacted local traditions and naming conventions.

From Spanish, Zulema made its way into other languages, including English, primarily through literary and cultural exchanges in the 19th and 20th centuries. Historically, Zulema has been associated with notable figures in literature and the arts.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name can be traced back to the 19th century, particularly in Spanish literature, where it was often used in poetic and romantic contexts. The name gained further recognition through various works that depicted strong female characters, embodying qualities of grace and resilience.

Additionally, the name is sometimes linked to Zulema, a character in the tales of the Arabian Nights, which were translated into numerous languages and widely disseminated in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. Culturally, Zulema symbolizes not only peace but also strength and femininity, resonating with traditions that celebrate the virtues of women in various societies.

The name has been embraced in different cultures, often reflecting a blend of historical influences and local customs. Its melodic quality and meaningful connotation have contributed to its enduring appeal, making it a name that carries both historical depth and cultural significance.

Famous people named Zulema

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

We also feature individuals named Zulema 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.

Zulema Cordero is a fashion designer best known for her work with Zulema and her appearances on Project Runway.

Zulema Rodriguez is a singer best known for her contributions to the Latin music genre.

Fictional characters named Zulema

The following list of fictional characters named Zulema 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.

Zulema is a fictional character from the TV series Vis a Vis (Locked Up). She is a powerful and cunning inmate who becomes a key player in the prison's dynamics.

Sibling suggestions

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

SelenaLunaAmaraMayaElenaIsabella

Similar names

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

ZaraZinaZinaidaZuleika

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Zulema was first seen in the United States in 1889.

Zulema has ranked as high as #2582 nationally, which occurred in 1996, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Illinois, Arizona, and New York.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Zulema 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 Zulema 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 Zulema.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 64 64
2024 57 57
2023 53 53
2022 76 76
2021 104 104
2020 85 85
2019 55 55
2018 50 50
2017 50 50
2016 37 37
2015 39 39
2014 38 38
2013 31 31
2012 40 40
2011 39 39
2010 45 45
2009 52 52
2008 46 46
2007 75 75
2006 60 60
2005 58 58
2004 61 61
2003 65 65
2002 54 54
2001 50 50
2000 71 71
1999 64 64
1998 60 60
1997 96 96
1996 106 106
1995 95 95
1994 77 77
1993 80 80
1992 68 68
1991 74 74
1990 84 84
1989 41 41
1988 40 40
1987 41 41
1986 36 36
1985 39 39
1984 39 39
1983 44 44
1982 44 44
1981 48 48
1980 40 40
1979 54 54
1978 42 42
1977 42 42
1976 34 34
1975 55 55
1974 55 55
1973 53 53
1972 42 42
1971 29 29
1970 34 34
1969 27 27
1968 29 29
1967 18 18
1966 28 28
1965 15 15
1964 23 23
1963 19 19
1962 23 23
1961 21 21
1960 27 27
1959 23 23
1958 20 20
1957 22 22
1956 22 22
1955 20 20
1954 15 15
1953 17 17
1952 18 18
1951 19 19
1950 18 18
1949 21 21
1948 24 24
1947 22 22
1946 13 13
1945 13 13
1944 11 11
1943 22 22
1942 18 18
1941 21 21
1940 18 18
1939 19 19
1938 17 17
1937 8 8
1936 14 14
1935 11 11
1934 11 11
1933 16 16
1932 5 5
1931 25 25
1930 20 20
1929 21 21
1928 17 17
1927 21 21
1926 9 9
1925 17 17
1924 14 14
1923 8 8
1922 14 14
1921 11 11
1920 13 13
1919 9 9
1918 14 14
1917 6 6
1916 9 9
1915 5 5
1905 5 5
1889 5 5

Top States for Zulema (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 15
65%
TX 8
35%