Salem is a distinctive boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #1460 in 2024 with 18 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2023 with 22 births ranking #1243. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 500.0%. In 2024, approximately 1 in every 15,433 boys born was named Salem. RISING Recent data shows the name is currently rising.
Salem is a sleek unisex name often associated with peace. It feels modern, atmospheric, and slightly mysterious.
The name's appeal comes from both its ancient Semitic peace-root associations and its place-name familiarity. In modern use, style and sound are often at least as important as literal etymology.