Salima
Every Salima since 1969 — 598 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Salima
Salima is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #6,785 in 2025 with 17 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1969, 598 American babies have been named Salima. Its peak came in 2018, when 22 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 Salima stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Salima year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 | #6,785 |
| 2024 | 20 | #6,122 |
| 2023 | 18 | #6,629 |
| 2022 | 12 | #8,961 |
| 2021 | 14 | #7,962 |
| 2020 | 11 | #9,439 |
| 2019 | 10 | #10,342 |
| 2018 | 22 | #5,757 |
| 2017 | 15 | #7,777 |
| 2016 | 8 | #12,696 |
| 2015 | 14 | #8,360 |
| 2014 | 10 | #10,806 |
| 2013 | 16 | #7,691 |
| 2012 | 12 | #9,613 |
| 2011 | 6 | #16,415 |
| 2010 | 12 | #9,692 |
| 2009 | 14 | #8,802 |
| 2008 | 10 | #11,448 |
| 2007 | 7 | #15,173 |
| 2006 | 14 | #8,634 |
| 2005 | 15 | #7,831 |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 11 | #9,570 |
| 2002 | 7 | #13,351 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9,956 |
| 2000 | 16 | #6,742 |
| 1995 | 7 | #11,511 |
| 1990 | 12 | #7,206 |
| 1985 | 8 | #8,145 |
| 1980 | 13 | #5,477 |
| 1975 | 9 | #6,341 |
| 1970 | 5 | #9,028 |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Salima
- Salima Ghezali Journalist · b. 1958
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Salima in 2025?
Salima ranked #6,785 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 17 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Salima?
598 babies have been named Salima in the United States since 1969, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Salima most popular?
Salima peaked in 2018, when 22 newborns received the name.
Is Salima a boy or girl name?
Salima is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Salima rising or falling?
Salima is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Salima?
Well-known people named Salima include Salima Ghezali (journalist).