Salem
The modern English name Salem can refer to the biblical place Shalem, whose Hebrew sense is connected with completeness, safety and peace. A separate Arabic Salem transcribes Salim. These histories should not be merged into a single unspecified language-of-origin label.
- Meaning
- A single literal meaning has not been established. See the name-history notes above.
- Name or word origin
- Hebrew place-name and separate Arabic name
Sources and meaning notes
Both entries are cited. The place-name reading and Arabic transcription remain separate, so a universal literal meaning is left unassigned.
- Behind the Name: Salem (1) The name form, its documented usage and the specific name-history relationships described here
- Behind the Name: Salem (2) The name form, its documented usage and the specific name-history relationships described here
References checked .
Catalog grouping: Male. This is a browsing label and does not restrict which cats can use the name.
Popularity in cited datasets
Each position below belongs to its publisher’s sample and time period. These are not iCatNames registration counts or a combined ranking.
| Dataset scope | Position | Source |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. cat names — top 100 | #32 | Rover catalog (checked 2026-10-26; undated) |
An undated catalog checked in 2026 is not a 2025 annual result. Historical reports keep their published period. Source records on this page were checked on 2026-10-26.
Compare the checked ranking snapshotsNames in similar collections to Salem
These entries have source references and overlap with this name in the site’s editorial collections. The overlap does not measure pet-owner preferences or prove a shared linguistic origin.