Salah
As an Islamic/Arabic surname, as well as a Jewish adoption of it, from صَلاة (ṣalāh, “prayer”) or صَلاح (ṣalāḥ, “righteousness”).
Every Salah since 1972 — 1,185 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Salah
Salah is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,300 in 2025 with 36 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1972, 1,185 American babies have been named Salah — about 84% boys and 16% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2024, when 62 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Salah stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Salah year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 22 | #5,681 | 36 | #3,300 |
| 2024 | 29 | #4,758 | 33 | #3,509 |
| 2023 | 21 | #5,922 | 39 | #3,169 |
| 2022 | 16 | #7,237 | 32 | #3,600 |
| 2021 | 25 | #5,216 | 26 | #4,105 |
| 2020 | 6 | #14,815 | 26 | #4,007 |
| 2019 | 7 | #13,571 | 49 | #2,652 |
| 2018 | — | — | 38 | #3,094 |
| 2017 | — | — | 25 | #4,210 |
| 2016 | 10 | #10,714 | 29 | #3,758 |
| 2015 | — | — | 29 | #3,761 |
| 2014 | — | — | 35 | #3,206 |
| 2013 | — | — | 18 | #5,136 |
| 2012 | 10 | #11,114 | 27 | #3,870 |
| 2011 | — | — | 30 | #3,585 |
| 2010 | — | — | 33 | #3,364 |
| 2009 | 10 | #11,326 | 30 | #3,622 |
| 2008 | 5 | #19,922 | 26 | #4,011 |
| 2007 | 8 | #13,692 | 31 | #3,494 |
| 2006 | 6 | #16,732 | 34 | #3,209 |
| 2005 | 8 | #12,793 | 29 | #3,437 |
| 2004 | 7 | #13,905 | 26 | #3,618 |
| 2003 | — | — | 22 | #3,953 |
| 2002 | 5 | #17,582 | 23 | #3,760 |
| 2001 | — | — | 12 | #5,952 |
| 2000 | — | — | 13 | #5,524 |
| 1995 | — | — | 9 | #6,321 |
| 1990 | — | — | 9 | #5,731 |
| 1985 | — | — | 6 | #6,387 |
| 1980 | — | — | 11 | #3,804 |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Salah
- Salah Jadid Politician · 1926–1993
- Salah al-Din al-Bitar Politician · 1912–1980
- Salah Assad Soccer player · b. 1958
- Salah Abdeslam Mafioso · b. 1989
- Salah Hissou Athlete · b. 1972
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Salah mean?
As an Islamic/Arabic surname, as well as a Jewish adoption of it, from صَلاة (ṣalāh, “prayer”) or صَلاح (ṣalāḥ, “righteousness”).
How popular is the name Salah in 2025?
Salah ranked #3,300 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 36 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Salah?
1,185 babies have been named Salah in the United States since 1972, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Salah most popular?
Salah peaked in 2024, when 62 newborns received the name.
Is Salah a boy or girl name?
Salah is used for both: about 16% of babies named Salah have been girls and 84% boys.
Is the name Salah rising or falling?
Salah is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Salah?
Well-known people named Salah include Salah Jadid (politician), Salah al-Din al-Bitar (politician), Salah Assad (soccer player).