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Saleem

♂ Boy

Pronounced sa-LEEM /sa.ˈliːm/Medium

Meaning: Safe, sound, intactMedium

In 30 seconds: Saleem is an Arabic boy's name meaning 'safe', 'sound' or 'intact'. It conveys wholeness and well-being.
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Origin MediumArabic, Urdu
MeaningSafe, sound, intact
U.S. rank (2024)#2085 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births72 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,892

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419602024

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

History & Origin

Saleem comes from Arabic, where it means safe, sound or intact, the sense of being whole and unharmed. It is a widely used and well-loved name across the Arabic-speaking and broader Muslim world. Its bearers include Pakistani former cricketers Saleem Altaf and Saleem Yousuf.

The closely related form Selim carries the same meaning and is common in Turkish usage. Saleem's gentle, two-syllable sound matches its peaceable, soundness-of-body meaning.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Saleem is 'safe, sound, intact', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Saleem — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

Selim

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Saleem Altaf (1944–present)
    Pakistani former cricketer who played Tests and ODIs for Pakistan in the 1960s–70s.
  • ★Saleem Yousuf (1959–present)
    Pakistani former cricketer, a wicket-keeper who played Tests and ODIs in the 1980s.

If you like Saleem…

Selim— A listed variation of Saleem with the same 'safe, sound' meaning.
Salim— An alternate Arabic spelling of the same name and root.
Salman— Built on the same Arabic s-l-m root of safety and soundness as Saleem.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Saleem mean?

Saleem is usually explained as meaning 'safe, sound, intact' and is most often linked with Arabic tradition.

How do you pronounce Saleem?

It's commonly said sa-LEEM /sa.ˈliːm/.

Is Saleem a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Saleem is used as a boy name.

How popular is Saleem?

In 2024, Saleem ranked #2085 in the U.S. for boys, with 72 births recorded.