A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Salima since 1969
Babies named Salima per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2018, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Salima's real moment was 1976.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 91 |
| 1980s | 91 |
| 1990s | 89 |
| 2000s | 104 |
| 2010s | 125 |
| 2020s | 92 |
Meaning & origin
Salima is a name of Arabic origin that has been used in the United States since at least 1969, though it remains relatively rare. It reached its peak popularity in 1976 and has seen a gradual rise in usage since 2003, reflecting a growing interest in traditional Arabic names. With a 2025 rank of 6,546 and an incidence of 1 in 94,545, it is a distinctive choice that has not yet entered the top 1,000. The name's connection to the root meaning of safety and peace gives it a serene quality, and its similarity to the more familiar Salma may appeal to parents seeking something both meaningful and uncommon.
Salima is the feminine form of Salim, derived from the Arabic root s-l-m, which conveys concepts of safety, peace, and wholeness. The name shares this root with Salam (peace) and the Islamic greeting As-salamu alaykum. It has been used across the Arabic-speaking world and in Muslim communities globally for centuries.
“Salima” around the world
Where Salima lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
30
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sali, Lima, Sal
Sibling names for Salima
Names that share Salima's style, for a brother or sister.
