embrisa.
embrisa.
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Unisex

Salem

ˈseɪ.ləm

Peace

Hebrew

How to say it

SA · lem

ˈseɪ.ləm

What it means

Hebrew, 'peace' (from shalem/shalom); the ancient name of Jerusalem.

Salem means 'peace' in Hebrew, and in Genesis it is the city of Melchizedek, an old name for Jerusalem, the 'city of peace.' The Arabic Salim shares the root. America also knows Salem as the Massachusetts town of the 1692 witch trials and as Sabrina's talking cat, associations some families weigh. It reads calm and unisex, said SAY-lum.

How to spell Salem

The standard spelling is Salem. Common variants include Saleem, Salim, Salom, but Salem is the most widely used form.

Popularity over time

#10 #100 #1000 #1 #898518802025

Feminine: peaked at #417 in 2023, currently #436 in 2025.

Masculine: peaked at #631 in 2023, currently #679 in 2025.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving

Heads-up notes

  • Worth knowing

    Hebrew 'peace' and the old name of Jerusalem; also tied to the Salem witch trials, which some families consider.

  • Pronunciation

    SAY-lum; unisex.

Who's worn it

Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.

  • Salem the biblical 'city of peace,' an old name for Jerusalem

Spelling variants

  • Saleem
  • Salim
  • Salom

Common questions

What does the name Salem mean?
Hebrew, 'peace' (from shalem/shalom); the ancient name of Jerusalem.
What does Salem mean in Hebrew?
In Hebrew, Salem means "Peace." Salem means 'peace' in Hebrew, and in Genesis it is the city of Melchizedek, an old name for Jerusalem, the 'city of peace.' The Arabic Salim shares the root. America also knows Salem as the Massachusetts town of the 1692 witch trials and as Sabrina's talking cat, associations some families weigh. It reads calm and unisex, said SAY-lum.
How do you pronounce Salem?
Salem is pronounced ˈseɪ.ləm. Say it as SA-lem, with the stress on the "sa" syllable.
How do you spell Salem?
The standard spelling is Salem. Common spelling variants include Saleem, Salim, Salom.
Is Salem a boy or girl name?
Salem is used for both boys and girls.
How popular is the name Salem?
Salem ranked #436 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.