Find out how popular the last name Saleemi is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Saleemi.

Saleemi, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Saleemi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Saleemi in America

Saleemi is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Saleemi surname appeared 127 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Saleemi.

The history of the last name Saleemi

The surname Saleemi is believed to have originated in the Middle East, specifically in the region that is now modern-day Iran and Iraq. The name is derived from the Arabic word 'saleem,' which means 'safe' or 'peaceful.' It is likely that this surname was initially given to individuals who lived in a safe or peaceful area, or who exhibited these qualities themselves.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Saleemi can be found in a 12th-century Persian manuscript, where it was spelled 'Salimi.' This variation in spelling was common in those times, as standardized spellings were not yet established. The manuscript mentions a man named Ahmad Salimi, who was a prominent scholar and poet during the Seljuk Empire.

In the 14th century, the name Saleemi appeared in Ottoman records, suggesting that the surname had spread to the region now known as Turkey. One notable figure from this time was Mehmet Saleemi, a military commander who served under Sultan Murad I and played a significant role in the Ottoman conquest of the Balkans.

During the 16th century, the name Saleemi was found in various parts of the Middle East, including present-day Syria and Lebanon. A famous bearer of this surname was Ibrahim Saleemi, a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist who lived in Damascus and wrote extensively on Islamic law.

In the 18th century, the name Saleemi made its way to the Indian subcontinent, likely through traders and travelers from the Middle East. One prominent individual with this surname was Mirza Saleemi (1728-1803), a Mughal nobleman and poet who served as a courtier under the reign of Emperor Shah Alam II.

As the name spread across different regions, it underwent various spellings and adaptations, such as Salimi, Salemi, and Saleemy. However, the core meaning and origin of the name remained rooted in the Arabic word 'saleem.'

Throughout history, the surname Saleemi has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including scholars, writers, military leaders, and nobility. While the name may have evolved and adapted over time, its rich heritage and connection to the Middle Eastern region remain an integral part of its legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Saleemi

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Saleemi.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Saleemi was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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