Baby Name Popularity Profile

Salem

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Salem.

✦ Peace 🌍 Hebrew, Arabic biblical spiritual
National Rank (2025) #679
All-Time Peak Rank #631 Achieved 2023
Total U.S. Births 4,687 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 39.4% Boy / 60.6% Girl Leans Female
First Recorded 1912 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 2020s 442 births in 2024
💡 The Salem Vibe: Considered a Rising Star. A high-velocity modern choice demonstrating rapid, sustained growth in recent registries.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Peace
Language Origin Hebrew, Arabic
Origin Type multiple
Derived from the Hebrew word 'shalom' and the Arabic word 'salam', both meaning 'peace'. It is also a biblical place name.
Common Nicknames
Sal
Alternative Spellings
Salim
Pronunciation: SAIL-em
Themes & Categories
biblical spiritual
Etymology confidence: High

📖 The Story Behind Salem

According to SSA data, Salem achieved its highest historical rank of #631 in 2023. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 2024 with 442 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have increased by 187.8%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 55 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Salem across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Rising
10-Year Shift +187.8% Growth
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 442 births in 2024
Years in Top 100 0 yrs
Years in Top 500 0 yrs
Registry Streak 55 yrs
Historical Volatility Stable Profile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 0
1890s: 0
1900s: 0
1910s: 36
1920s: 39
1930s: 8
1940s: 14
1950s: 11
1960s: 23
1970s: 97
1980s: 159
1990s: 255
2000s: 471
2010s: 1,240
2020s: 2,334

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Sa-lem
Letter Count 5 letters
Spelling Complexity Moderate
Length Percentile Longer than 7.7% of names
Linguistic Profile: It is an isogram, meaning no two letters are repeated. Longer than 7.7% of SSA names. Starts with S, a letter used by only 7.9% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Salem.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State North Carolina
Top States North Carolina, Utah, Kentucky, Arizona, Washington
States with Data 38
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
North Carolina #535 168 2020 Insufficient historical volume
Utah #609 46 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Kentucky #401 95 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Arizona #622 66 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Washington #724 85 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Tennessee #498 109 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Nevada Unranked 17 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Indiana #427 121 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Oklahoma #498 66 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado #832 58 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Texas #667 355 2024 +45.2% Growth
Georgia #537 126 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Florida #840 145 2024 Insufficient historical volume
California #902 364 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #510 162 2022 Insufficient historical volume
West Virginia #194 29 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri #854 66 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #477 54 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #784 66 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas #483 29 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan #762 101 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Idaho Unranked 10 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas Unranked 26 2021 Insufficient historical volume
New Mexico Unranked 12 2023 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina #660 31 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa Unranked 26 2020 Insufficient historical volume
Illinois #861 96 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #783 99 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana #526 29 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska #501 10 2021 Insufficient historical volume
New York #1383 102 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon Unranked 11 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota Unranked 18 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland Unranked 13 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin #869 15 2013 Insufficient historical volume
Massachusetts #881 15 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Mississippi Unranked 5 2023 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey Unranked 5 2023 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

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👧 Sister Suggestions
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