Saleem
Meaningsafe, sound · Arabic
Saleem is an Arabic boy name meaning “safe, sound”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Saleem has the name Lee hiding inside it.
- GenerationSaleem peaked in 1980, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Saleem you'd meet today is about 45 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Saleems too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Saleem would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 32,258 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistorySaleem first shows up in US birth records in 1960, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 65 years since.
US births per million boys, 1960–2025
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Saleem
Saleem is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “safe, sound”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It hit its peak in the 1980s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
Other spellings of Saleem
More Arabic boy names
- Boy name: Caleb · dog, faithful
- Boy name: Silas · of the forest
- Boy name: Aaron · possibly exalted
- Boy name: Amir · prince, commander
- Boy name: Xavier · new house
- Boy name: Jasper · treasurer
- Boy name: Muhammad · praised
- Boy name: Omar · flourishing, long-lived
Questions about the name Saleem
What does the name Saleem mean?
Saleem means “safe, sound” and comes from Arabic. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Salim (“safe, sound”), Echo (“echo, sound”) and Kanon (“often flower sound”).
What is the origin of the name Saleem?
Saleem is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Silas (“of the forest”), Aaron (“possibly exalted”) and Amir (“prince, commander”).
Is Saleem a boy or girl name?
Saleem is a boy name. In 2025, 53 US boys were named Saleem.
How popular is the name Saleem?
Saleem ranked #2,516 for US boys in 2025, given to 53 babies. Its best year was 1980, when it reached #1,154. Over the last five years it has climbed 290 places.
What names are similar to Saleem?
If you like Saleem, you might also like Salem, Salim, Echo and Kanon. Salem is another spelling of the same name.
What should I know before naming my baby Saleem?
Saleem is an Arabic boy name meaning “safe, sound”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.