Selah

♂ Boy

Pronounced SEE-lah /ˈsi.lɑ/Medium

Meaning: From Hebrew Selah — a liturgical word in the Psalms, possibly 'pause, reflect' or 'to praise, lift up'; here for boys; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Pause and praise: Selah is a Hebrew word from the Psalms — 'pause, reflect' or 'to lift up in praise'. Devout, soft, and warm.

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Origin MediumHebrew

MeaningFrom Hebrew Selah — a liturgical word in the Psalms, possibly 'pause, reflect' or 'to praise, lift up'; here for boys; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#6741 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births13 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 207

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Selah comes from Hebrew Selah — a word that punctuates the Psalms, possibly meaning 'pause, reflect', or 'to lift up, to praise' (the exact sense is debated, which we note; also a biblical place, Sela). A devout, soft name, used for both sexes, here for boys.

It registers thinly for boys. Rare, pause-or-praise at the (debated) root, and devout.

Did you know? Selah appears in the Psalms as a musical/liturgical pause — possibly 'stop and reflect' or 'to lift up, to praise'; a devout, soft name, used for both sexes (also a biblical place).

Overall data confidence 62%

References — Selah — sense debated

Variations

SelaSeleh

Nicknames

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If you like Selah…

Sela— a fellow spelling

Zion— another biblical word-name

Silas— a fellow soft biblical name

Yonah— shares the -ah ending

Siah— echoes that soft -ah sound

Explore names like Selah

By themeuncertain hebrew unisex devotional

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Selah mean?

Selah is a Hebrew word from the Psalms, possibly 'pause, reflect' or 'to praise, lift up'; the sense is debated.

How do you pronounce Selah?

It's said SEE-lah /ˈsi.lɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Selah a boy or girl name?

Selah is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Selah?

Selah is a rare name for boys in the U.S.