Baby Name Popularity Profile

Salem

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

✦ Peace 🌍 Hebrew biblical
National Rank (2025) #436
All-Time Peak Rank #417 Achieved 2023
Total U.S. Births 6,491 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 39.4% Boy / 60.6% Girl Leans Female
First Recorded 1976 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 2020s 734 births in 2023
💡 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
Origin Type single
Derived from the Hebrew word 'shalom' meaning 'peace'. It is also a biblical place name.
Pronunciation: SAY-lem
Themes & Categories
biblical
Etymology confidence: High

📖 The Story Behind Salem

According to SSA data, Salem achieved its highest historical rank of #417 in 2023. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 2023 with 734 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have increased by 338.9%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 44 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 +338.9% Growth
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 734 births in 2023
Years in Top 100 0 yrs
Years in Top 500 4 yrs
Registry Streak 44 yrs
Historical Volatility Stable Profile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 0
1890s: 0
1900s: 0
1910s: 0
1920s: 0
1930s: 0
1940s: 0
1950s: 0
1960s: 0
1970s: 34
1980s: 88
1990s: 216
2000s: 555
2010s: 1,641
2020s: 3,957

📐 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, Nevada, Tennessee, Arizona, Oklahoma
States with Data 43
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
North Carolina #176 628 2023 +20.0% Growth
Nevada #212 69 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Tennessee #346 237 2023 7.7% Decline
Arizona #511 129 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Oklahoma #311 140 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Utah #691 84 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Kentucky #170 177 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado #352 120 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Indiana #266 176 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas #246 79 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Texas #544 552 2024 +51.3% Growth
Washington #446 115 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Idaho #469 28 2019 Insufficient historical volume
Georgia #278 197 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Florida #553 209 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas #200 64 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #294 109 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri #249 132 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #357 256 2022 Insufficient historical volume
California #671 520 2021 +27.0% Growth
West Virginia #136 47 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland #543 65 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #513 96 2021 Insufficient historical volume
New Mexico Unranked 21 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa #431 51 2020 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina #438 54 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana #528 65 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska #389 24 2024 Insufficient historical volume
South Dakota Unranked 11 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Mississippi #266 41 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan #544 117 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin #512 59 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #575 157 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota #719 49 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Illinois #539 129 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Maine Unranked 7 2023 Insufficient historical volume
New Hampshire Unranked 5 2024 Insufficient historical volume
North Dakota Unranked 5 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon #613 12 2023 Insufficient historical volume
New York #1401 83 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Massachusetts #749 18 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Connecticut Unranked 7 2023 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey Unranked 11 2021 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
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👧 Sister Suggestions
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