Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Saleem
BoyArabic· “safe, sound”
- Meaning
- safe, sound
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- sah-LEEM
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,533
- US babies 2025
- 53
- Best rank
- #1,163 (1980)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Saleem
Saleem is an Arabic name that means “safe, sound”.
Saleem is a spelling of Salim, an Arabic name meaning safe, sound or unharmed, from the root s-l-m, which also gives salam, peace. The double e is common in Pakistan and India and among English speakers because it shows the long ee sound clearly. It is said sah-LEEM, with the stress on the second syllable. Readers may know Saleem Sinai, the narrator of Salman Rushdie's novel Midnight's Children, whose life runs in parallel with the history of modern India. The feminine form is Salima or Saleema, and Salman comes from the same root.
Popularity over time
Saleem first appears in US Social Security records in 1960. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,163 in 1980, and the most babies received it in 2024, when 72 were named Saleem. In 2025, 53 babies were named Saleem, and it ranked #2,533 nationally. That is 26% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,163 in 1980, #3,060 in 2000, #2,721 in 2010, and #2,533 in 2025. Of the 1,945 US boys named Saleem since records began, 24% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 370 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jhon, Farhan, Haider, Amon, and Javari.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Saleem ranked highest in Pennsylvania and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #1079 | 7 |
| New York | #1719 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Saleem is usually pronounced sah-LEEM, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-em”.
Middle names for Saleem
A few middle names that flow with Saleem: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Saleem
Similar names
Salem Unisex
SAY-luhm
“peace” · Hebrew
#436
Akeem Boy
ah-KEEM
“wise” · Arabic
#2,078
Kareem Boy
kuh-REEM
“generous, noble” · Arabic
#702
Naeem Boy
nah-EEM
“comfort, bliss, blessing” · Arabic
#2,325
Aden Boy
AY-duhn
“little fire” · Irish
#1,008
Karim Boy
kuh-REEM
“generous, noble” · Arabic
#1,084
Sami Boy
SAH-mee
“elevated, sublime” · Arabic
#1,114
Hasan Boy
HAH-sun
“good, handsome” · Arabic
#1,147
Ismail Boy
is-mah-EEL
“God will hear” · Arabic
#1,065
Osman Boy
OZ-mun
“Turkish form of Uthman” · Turkish
#1,157
Yasir Boy
YAH-seer
“wealthy; easy” · Arabic
#1,158
Issa Unisex
EE-suh
“Arabic form of Jesus” · Arabic
#1,682
Lists that include Saleem
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Saleem mean?
Saleem is an Arabic name that means “safe, sound”.
What is the origin of the name Saleem?
Saleem has Arabic roots. Saleem is a spelling of Salim, an Arabic name meaning safe, sound or unharmed, from the root s-l-m, which also gives salam, peace.
Is Saleem a popular name?
Not especially. Saleem ranked #2,533 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Saleem a boy or girl name?
Saleem is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Saleem?
Saleem is usually pronounced sah-LEEM. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings