MallowbyNames

Suleima

soo-LAY-mah · Of uncertain origin; likely a variant of Sulaima or Salma, possibly meaning 'peace' in Arabic.

Peak popularity
1990
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Suleima since 1990

Babies named Suleima per year in U.S. Social Security records.

1122331990200020102020Most births 1990Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1990s180
2000s106
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Suleima is a rare and melodious name first recorded in the United States in 1990. It has never entered the top 1000, reflecting its extreme rarity. The name's trajectory has been stable with occasional use, and its latest recorded year is 2025. It is typically feminine and likely of Arabic origin, though its exact etymology remains uncertain. Given its low frequency, Suleima offers a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with a gentle sound and potential cultural resonance.

Suleima is likely a variant of the Arabic name Sulaima, a feminine form of Sulayman, which is the Arabic version of Solomon. The name Solomon derives from the Hebrew Shlomo, related to shalom meaning 'peace'. However, Suleima may also be a variant of Salma or Selma, names of Germanic or Arabic origin. Its use in the United States has been rare, first recorded in 1990 with intermittent appearances.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Sulie, Layla

Variants: Sulaima, Salma, Selma

Sibling names for Suleima

Names that share Suleima's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Zahra, Layla, Amira, Yara, Nadia

Brothers: Zayn, Omar, Adam, Tariq, Yusuf

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

S is for Suleima, our favorite little girl.

S is for Suleima…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Suleima's letter becomes Suleima's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Suleima's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Suleima mean?
Suleima is of uncertain origin, but it is likely a variant of Sulaima, a feminine form of Sulayman meaning 'peace' in Arabic, or related to Salma meaning 'safe'.
Is Suleima a popular name?
Suleima is extremely rare in the United States. It was first recorded in 1990 and has not ranked in the top 1000 names. Its latest recorded year is 2025, with no clear trend in popularity.
Is Suleima a boy or girl name?
Suleima is typically used as a girl's name.