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Home › Baby Names Directory › Salif

Salif

♂ Boy

Pronounced sah-LEEF /sɑːˈliːf/Medium

Meaning: A West African (Mandinka) name, a form of the Arabic Salih ('righteous; virtuous') or Sharif ('noble'). Borne by Malian singer Salif Keita. Route read variously, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A West African name: Salif is a Mandinka form of Salih/Sharif, 'righteous; noble' (said 'sah-LEEF'). Warm and musical.
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Origin LowMandinka, Arabic
MeaningA West African (Mandinka) name, a form of the Arabic Salih ('righteous; virtuous') or Sharif ('noble'). Borne by Malian singer Salif Keita. Route read variously, which we note.
U.S. rank (2023)#11985 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2010
Total births (all-time)≈ 81

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201020012023

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Salif is a Mandinka form of the Arabic Salih ('righteous; virtuous') or Sharif ('noble'), its route read variously. Made famous by singer Salif Keita, it reads warm and rooted, which we note — uncommon in the U.S. (said 'sah-LEEF').

It appears extremely rarely for boys in the U.S., more familiar in West Africa. Rare, warm, and rooted.

Did you know? Salif is a West African (Mandinka) name, a form of the Arabic Salih ('righteous') or Sharif ('noble') — carried by Malian music legend Salif Keita (said 'sah-LEEF').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Salif — Mandinka form of Salih/Sharif; Salif Keita; routes read variously

Variations

SalihSaliffSalef

Nicknames

SalLif

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Salif…

Salih— the Arabic name behind it
Sharif— a like 'noble' Arabic route
Seydou— a like West African name
Musa— a like West African name

Explore names like Salif

By themearabicwest-africanmusical

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Salif mean?

Salif is a West African (Mandinka) form of the Arabic Salih ('righteous') or Sharif ('noble'); the route is read variously, which we note.

How do you pronounce Salif?

It's said sah-LEEF /sɑːˈliːf/ — two syllables, stress on the last.

Is Salif a boy or girl name?

Salif is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Salif?

Salif is an extremely rare name in the U.S.

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