Saleh
From Iranian Persian صالح (sâleh) or directly from Arabic صَالِح (ṣāliḥ, literally “pious”).
Every Saleh since 1974 — 1,783 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Saleh
Saleh is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,472 in 2025 with 55 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1974, 1,783 American babies have been named Saleh. Its peak came in 2018, when 83 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
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 Saleh stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Saleh 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 | — | — | 55 | #2,472 |
| 2024 | — | — | 81 | #1,952 |
| 2023 | — | — | 79 | #1,963 |
| 2022 | 6 | #15,004 | 74 | #2,058 |
| 2021 | — | — | 61 | #2,295 |
| 2020 | — | — | 63 | #2,204 |
| 2019 | — | — | 61 | #2,286 |
| 2018 | — | — | 83 | #1,832 |
| 2017 | — | — | 74 | #1,955 |
| 2016 | — | — | 75 | #1,955 |
| 2015 | — | — | 56 | #2,349 |
| 2014 | — | — | 59 | #2,269 |
| 2013 | — | — | 54 | #2,357 |
| 2012 | — | — | 48 | #2,590 |
| 2011 | — | — | 45 | #2,695 |
| 2010 | — | — | 36 | #3,172 |
| 2009 | — | — | 38 | #3,096 |
| 2008 | — | — | 49 | #2,575 |
| 2007 | — | — | 50 | #2,528 |
| 2006 | — | — | 35 | #3,143 |
| 2005 | — | — | 43 | #2,605 |
| 2004 | — | — | 36 | #2,871 |
| 2003 | — | — | 32 | #3,032 |
| 2002 | — | — | 30 | #3,077 |
| 2001 | — | — | 25 | #3,491 |
| 2000 | — | — | 26 | #3,280 |
| 1995 | — | — | 26 | #2,834 |
| 1990 | — | — | 15 | #3,932 |
| 1985 | — | — | 8 | #5,063 |
| 1980 | — | — | 7 | #5,412 |
| 1975 | — | — | 5 | #6,172 |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Saleh mean?
From Iranian Persian صالح (sâleh) or directly from Arabic صَالِح (ṣāliḥ, literally “pious”).
How popular is the name Saleh in 2025?
Saleh ranked #2,472 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 55 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Saleh?
1,783 babies have been named Saleh in the United States since 1974, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Saleh most popular?
Saleh peaked in 2018, when 83 newborns received the name.
Is Saleh a boy or girl name?
Saleh is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Saleh rising or falling?
Saleh is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.