Saliyah first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Saliyah has been for the last 28 years (from 1997 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Saliyah

A feminine Arabic name meaning "the one who prays".

Popularity of Saliyah by gender

Based on the last 28 years of data, Saliyah is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 24 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Saliyah.

Year Male Count Female Count
2024 0 24
2023 0 14
2022 0 14
2021 0 21
2020 0 14
2019 0 18
2018 0 14
2017 0 19
2016 0 27
2015 0 26
2014 0 30
2013 0 29
2012 0 29
2011 0 25
2010 0 36
2009 0 26
2008 0 24
2007 0 26
2006 0 15
2005 0 16
2004 0 20
2003 0 20
2002 0 16
2001 0 6
2000 0 5
1998 0 5
1997 0 5

The history of the first name Saliyah

The name Saliyah is of Arabic origin, derived from the word "sali" which means "to pray" or "to supplicate." It is believed to have first emerged during the early Islamic era, around the 7th century AD, in the Arabian Peninsula and the surrounding regions.

Saliyah is a feminine name that carries a deeply spiritual and religious significance within the Islamic tradition. It is often associated with piety, devotion, and a strong connection to one's faith. The name is found in various Islamic texts and historical records, particularly those related to the life of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Saliyah is in the biography of Umm Saliyah, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and the wife of Abu Talha al-Ansari. She was known for her piety, generosity, and her role in the early Islamic community.

Throughout history, there have been several notable women who have borne the name Saliyah. One such figure is Saliyah bint Husayn (1268-1339), a renowned female scholar and poet from the Mamluk era in Egypt. She was widely respected for her knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and her contributions to literature.

Another prominent Saliyah was Saliyah al-Kurdi (1512-1570), a Syrian scholar and mystic who was celebrated for her expertise in various Islamic sciences, including hadith (prophetic traditions) and Sufism.

In the 19th century, Saliyah Marjana (1825-1902) was a renowned Egyptian calligrapher and artist known for her intricate and beautiful calligraphic works, which are still admired and exhibited in museums today.

The name Saliyah also holds significance in modern times, with notable figures such as Saliyah Karim (1936-2021), an Algerian-French writer and activist who championed women's rights and fought against colonialism.

While the exact origins of the name Saliyah are rooted in the Arabic language and Islamic tradition, it has transcended cultural boundaries and is now used by families from various backgrounds around the world, reflecting its enduring appeal and spiritual connotations.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Saliyah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Saliyah, please contact us.

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"Saliyah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on September 1, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/saliyah-meaning-and-history/.

"Saliyah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/saliyah-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 1 September, 2025

Saliyah first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/saliyah-meaning-and-history/.

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