Salimata
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "peaceful, tranquil".
Name Census estimates that about 185 living Americans carry the first name Salimata. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Salimata today is around 14 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Salimata births was 2008 (11 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Salimata. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
185
~ 1 in 1,852,726 Americans
Peak year
2008
11 babies that year
Average age
14
years old
2024 SSA rank
#10,112
Tracked since 1996
Popularity
Salimata: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Salimata from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 75 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Salimata remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Salimata by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Salimata during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Salimatas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Salimata
Salimata is a feminine given name derived from the Arabic name Salima, which means "peaceful", "safe", or "unharmed". The name has its roots in the Islamic faith and culture, originating in the Middle East and North Africa regions.
The earliest known use of the name Salima dates back to the 7th century, during the time of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It was a common name among Arab women during the early days of Islam. The name Salimata is a variant form that emerged later, likely in West Africa, where it gained popularity among Muslim communities.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Salimata can be found in the 13th-century historical chronicles of the Mali Empire, an ancient West African kingdom. The name was mentioned in association with notable figures from that era, though specific details are scarce.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Salimata. One example is Salimata Kante (c. 1520-1590), a prominent ruler and warrior of the Bamana Empire in present-day Mali. She is renowned for her military prowess and leadership during a time of conflict and territorial expansion.
Another notable figure is Salimata Diallo (1924-2018), a Malian writer and educator who played a significant role in promoting literacy and education for women in her country. She was recognized for her literary works and advocacy efforts.
In the 19th century, Salimata Bint Sayyid Said (1844-1924) was a prominent figure in Zanzibar, East Africa. She was the daughter of the Sultan of Zanzibar and played an influential role in the political and cultural affairs of the region.
Salimata Sy (1930-2022) was a Senegalese writer and activist who dedicated her life to promoting women's rights and empowerment in West Africa. Her literary works and activism had a significant impact on the region.
Salimata Lam (1933-2021) was a renowned Mauritanian writer and poet, known for her contributions to Mauritanian literature and her advocacy for cultural preservation. Her poetic works explored themes of identity, tradition, and the experiences of women in her country.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Salimata, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and significance across various regions and eras.
People
Salimata + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Salimata as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Salimata: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Salimata?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 185 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Salimata going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,852,726 US residents.
Is Salimata a common name?
We classify Salimata as "Very Rare". It ranks above 73.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 187 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Salimata most popular?
The single biggest year for Salimata was 2008, when 11 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Salimata is about 14 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Salimata a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Salimata in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.