Is Saleh a boy's or girl's name?

Saleh is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 6 recorded births.

When was Saleh most popular?

Saleh reached its peak popularity in 2018 with 83 births that year. It is currently ranked #1960 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Saleh?

Saleh is currently ranked #1960 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 1,720 babies since 1974.

Saleh

An uncommon Arabic pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsArabicRising fast Also a pet name

#1960▲ 2in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A prophet of Islam who prophesied to the people of Thamud.

Saleh is a boy's and girl's baby name of Arabic origin, from the Arabic root ṣalaḥa, meaning 'righteous, virtuous, good.' In the Quran, Saleh is a prophet sent to the ancient people of Thamud, making this a name of deep Islamic religious significance.

Saleh is a name of quiet moral authority — its meaning of righteousness makes it an expression of faith and aspiration, widely used across Arab and Muslim communities globally.

Compare Saleh with another name

Popularity Over Time

Saleh climbed 911 spots in the last 20 years — from #2871 to #1960.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Saleh
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	357	#2094	▼
2010s	591	#2346	▲
2000s	364	#2970	▲
1990s	240	#3077	▲
1980s	137	#3736	▲
1970s	31	#6261	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(51 years, 1974–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Saleh
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	80	#1960	+1 (1.3%)
2023	79	#1962	+5 (6.8%)
2022	74	#2054	+13 (21.3%)
2021	61	#2293	-2 (-3.2%)
2020	63	#2203	+2 (3.3%)
2019	61	#2284	-22 (-26.5%)
2018	83	#1831	+9 (12.2%)
2017	74	#1955	-1 (-1.3%)
2016	75	#1955	+19 (33.9%)
2015	56	#2349	-3 (-5.1%)
2014	59	#2269	+5 (9.3%)
2013	54	#2357	+6 (12.5%)
2012	48	#2590	+3 (6.7%)
2011	45	#2695	+9 (25.0%)
2010	36	#3172	-2 (-5.3%)
2009	38	#3096	-11 (-22.4%)
2008	49	#2575	-1 (-2.0%)
2007	50	#2528	+15 (42.9%)
2006	35	#3143	-8 (-18.6%)
2005	43	#2605	+7 (19.4%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Saleh as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Saleh has also been given to 6 girls in the U.S. since 2022.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

2022

Peak year

Compare Saleh as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Saleh be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Saleh is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1960. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Saleh has two lives

Saleh, the baby name

#1960boys

1,720 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1974–2024) · Methodology