Find out how popular the first name Selim has been for the last 46 years (from 1978 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Selim by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Selim is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 54 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Selim.

The history of the first name Selim

The name Selim is of Arabic origin, derived from the word "salim" which means "safe," "peaceful," or "intact." It first gained popularity in the Islamic world during the medieval period.

Selim was the name of several notable historical figures, including Selim I, also known as Selim the Grim, who was the Ottoman Sultan from 1512 to 1520. He was responsible for expanding the Ottoman Empire into the Middle East, capturing territories from the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt and the Safavid Empire.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Selim II, the son of Suleiman the Magnificent, who ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1566 to 1574. During his reign, the Ottoman Empire reached its peak territorial extent, stretching from the Algerian border to the Caspian Sea.

In Persian literature, Selim is a prominent character in the epic poem "Shahnameh" (The Book of Kings) by the poet Ferdowsi. Selim was the son of Tur, the legendary king of Yemen, and his story revolves around his quest for vengeance against his brother, who had usurped the throne.

The name Selim also appears in the Quran, one of the central religious texts of Islam, where it is mentioned as a characteristic of the righteous and pious. This association with Islamic teachings and values may have contributed to the name's popularity among Muslims throughout history.

Other notable historical figures who bore the name Selim include Selim Pasha (1838-1915), an Ottoman military leader and statesman, and Selim III (1761-1808), the 28th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, who was known for his efforts to modernize and reform the empire.

Throughout the centuries, the name Selim has been widely used across various cultures and regions, particularly in the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia, reflecting its rich historical and cultural significance.

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 Selim was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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