Salma

♀ Girl

Pronounced SAL-muh /ˈsæl.mə/High

Meaning: From Arabic Salma, from the root salam meaning peace, safety, and well-being; related to Hebrew shalom (peace); a name in the same semantic family as Islam (submission to peace) and Jerusalem (city of peace)High

In 30 seconds: Salma is an Arabic feminine name meaning peace and tranquility, from the same Semitic root as Hebrew shalom and Arabic salam, carried by actress Salma Hayek and used widely across the Arab and Muslim world.

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Origin HighArabic, Hebrew

MeaningFrom Arabic Salma, from the root salam meaning peace, safety, and well-being; related to Hebrew shalom (peace); a name in the same semantic family as Islam (submission to peace) and Jerusalem (city of peace)

U.S. rank (2025)#937 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births278 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1999

Total births (all-time)≈ 10,310

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Salma comes from Arabic salama or the root s-l-m, meaning peace, safety, and wholeness — the same Semitic root that gives Hebrew shalom and Arabic salam. Names from this root include Solomon (Hebrew: his peace is God), Jerusalem (city of peace), Absalom (father of peace), and the Islamic greeting As-salamu alaykum (peace be upon you). Salma as a feminine given name has been used in Arabic-speaking and Muslim communities for many centuries and appears in pre-Islamic Arabic poetry.

In the English-speaking world, Salma is primarily known through Mexican-American actress Salma Hayek (born 1966), who became one of Hollywood's most prominent Latina stars in films including Frida (2002). Her visibility brought the name to widespread Western attention. In the United States Salma is used by Arab-American, Muslim, and Latino communities, and has begun to appear in broader American naming as parents appreciate its combination of beautiful sound, clear meaning, and multicultural elegance. It is among the most internationally recognizable Arabic feminine names.

Did you know? The Arabic word salam (peace) and the Hebrew shalom (peace) come from the same Proto-Semitic root sh-l-m — making Salma and names like Solomon, Jerusalem, Absalom, Islam, and Muslim all etymological relatives in one of the world's most productive peace-related word families.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Salma — Arabic etymology and usage

Variations

SelmaSalimaSalamah

Nicknames

Sal

Famous Bearers

★Salma Hayek (1966–present)
Mexican-American actress and film producer known for her Academy Award-nominated performance in Frida (2002) and for her work promoting Latino representation in Hollywood.

If you like Salma…

Selma— Scandinavian and Arabic form of the same peace-root name with near-identical sound

Layla— two-syllable Arabic girls name with the same gentle, melodic cross-cultural appeal

Nadia— two-syllable Arabic and Slavic girls name with comparable hope and peace-related meaning

Zara— two-syllable Arabic girls name with the same elegant, international appeal

Frequently Asked

What does Salma mean?

Salma comes from the Arabic root salam meaning peace, safety, and well-being — the same root as Islamic greetings and Hebrew shalom.

How do you pronounce Salma?

It is said SAL-muh — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Salma an Arabic or Spanish name?

Salma is an Arabic name used widely in the Arab world and among Muslims; it is also used in Latino communities partly through Salma Hayek's prominence.

Is Salma the same as Selma?

Selma and Salma share the same Semitic peace root; Selma is the Scandinavian form while Salma is the Arabic original.