Rising since 1986, #4,539 for boys today.
Popularity of Salih since 1973
Babies named Salih per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 31 |
| 1980s | 34 |
| 1990s | 67 |
| 2000s | 137 |
| 2010s | 203 |
| 2020s | 115 |
Meaning & origin
Salih is a name of deep cultural and religious resonance, carrying a meaning of righteousness that has made it a favored choice for generations in Muslim communities. Its U.S. usage has been modest but growing: first recorded in 1973, the name has been rising steadily since the mid-1980s. In 2025, it held rank 4539 with an occurrence rate of 1 in 77,640 newborns, its highest popularity so far having been in 2017, at rank 3369. New York stands out as the top state for the name, with 250 occurrences per million births, indicating a concentrated presence in areas with significant Arab American communities. Salih remains a meaningful choice that connects a child to a storied prophetic tradition.
Salih derives from the Arabic root ṣ-l-ḥ, which conveys concepts of uprightness, integrity, and well-being. The name is directly mentioned in the Quran as the prophet Salih, a figure sent to the Thamud people. It has been a consistent choice in Muslim communities across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia for centuries.
Where Salih is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Salih” around the world
Where Salih lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Salih
Names that share Salih's style, for a brother or sister.
