Silem first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Silem has been for the last 2 years (from 2019 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Silem

A name derived from the Arabic term "salim", meaning safe or secure.

Popularity of Silem by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Silem is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Silem.

Year Male Count Female Count
2020 7 0
2019 8 0

The history of the first name Silem

The name Silem has its origins in the ancient Semitic languages of the Middle East, dating back to around the 3rd century BCE. It is believed to be derived from the Aramaic word "selem," which means "peace" or "harmony." This name was particularly popular among the ancient Phoenician and Canaanite civilizations that inhabited the region now known as Lebanon, Syria, and parts of modern-day Israel and Palestine.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Silem can be found in the ancient Phoenician inscriptions discovered in the city of Byblos, located in present-day Lebanon. These inscriptions, dating back to the 4th century BCE, mention a man named Silem who was a prominent merchant and trader in the region.

In the following centuries, the name Silem appeared in various historical records and texts throughout the Middle East. It was mentioned in the ancient Aramaic texts from the Persian Empire, as well as in some early Christian writings from the Byzantine period.

One notable figure in history who bore the name Silem was a 7th-century Christian monk and scholar from the city of Edessa, located in modern-day Turkey. He was known for his contributions to the study of Syriac language and literature.

Another significant individual with the name Silem was a 12th-century Arab philosopher and physician from Andalusia, in present-day Spain. He wrote extensively on topics such as medicine, astronomy, and mathematics, and his works were influential in the Islamic world during that time.

In the 15th century, a prominent Ottoman military commander named Silem Pasha played a crucial role in the conquest of Constantinople, which marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire's dominance in the region.

During the 16th century, a Sufi mystic and poet named Silem al-Din al-Rumi gained recognition for his spiritual writings and teachings, which were deeply influenced by the works of the renowned Persian poet Rumi.

Silem has also been a popular name among various Semitic and Middle Eastern cultures throughout history, with variations in spelling and pronunciation depending on the region and language. While the name may not be as common today, it remains a part of the rich cultural heritage of the Middle East and serves as a reminder of the region's ancient traditions and history.

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

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

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"Silem first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 6, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/silem-meaning-and-history/.

"Silem first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/silem-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 6 July, 2025

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

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