Holding steady, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Salimah since 1969
Babies named Salimah per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1998, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Salimah's real moment was 1976.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 32 |
| 1980s | 63 |
| 1990s | 70 |
| 2000s | 46 |
| 2010s | 42 |
| 2020s | 23 |
Meaning & origin
Salimah experienced a modest peak in 1976, when it was most frequently recorded in U.S. Social Security data. Since then, its usage has remained relatively stable, with a rank of 14,942 in 2025, where it occurred in roughly 1 in 321,453 births. The name shares the same Arabic root as the more common Salma and Selma, as well as the masculine Salim. Though not among the most popular choices, Salimah has a consistent presence, reflecting its enduring appeal within families seeking a name with clear meaning and cultural resonance.
Salimah is the feminine form of the Arabic name Salim, derived from the root s-l-m, which conveys notions of safety, peace, and wholeness. It is linguistically related to the masculine name Salim and the more widely known Salaam (peace). The name has been used across the Arabic-speaking world for centuries and is also found in Muslim communities in South Asia and Africa.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sali, Lima, Sally
Sibling names for Salimah
Names that share Salimah's style, for a brother or sister.
