"to praise; to exalt"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Selah
Does Selah flow with your last name?
A sacred pause, now a name full of quiet beauty
American
Christian
Jewish
Spiritual
Unique
Gentle
Whimsical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Selah
Selah is a Hebrew word appearing 74 times in the Psalms and three times in Habakkuk. Its exact meaning is debated by scholars, but it is most commonly understood as a musical or liturgical direction meaning pause, reflect, or to praise. Some scholars suggest it may derive from salah, meaning to hang or weigh, implying a moment to weigh what has been said. Its mysterious beauty has made it increasingly popular as a given name.
Selah gained traction as a baby name in the 2010s alongside other spiritual word names like Zion and Eden. It appeals to Christian families drawn to its Psalms connection, and to secular parents who love its melodic sound and meaningful simplicity.
In Jewish and Christian liturgical tradition, Selah marks moments of contemplation in sacred poetry. As a name, it carries a built-in invitation to pause and appreciate — a philosophy many modern parents embrace.
Historical Record
Selah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1962.
Over 13,747 babies have been named Selah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Selah is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #280 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Selah appears 74 times in the Book of Psalms, more than almost any other Hebrew word
- Lauryn Hill named her daughter Selah, boosting the name's cultural visibility
Selah in Other Languages
Arabic
سيلا
French
Selah
Hebrew
סֶלָה
Spanish
Selah
Japanese
セラ
Popularity Over Time
#280
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Selah
S
Selah Louise Marley
Other
1997
Daughter of Rohan Marley and Lauryn Hill, granddaughter of Bob Marley
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #280
- Total SSA Count
- 1,122
- Cultural Origins
- American Christian Jewish
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Ley
Lah
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Selah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Selah is also used as a boy name, ranked #4812.
View Selah as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Selah
What does the name Selah mean?
"to praise; to exalt" (from Hebrew). Selah is a Hebrew word appearing 74 times in the Psalms and three times in Habakkuk. Its exact meaning is debated by scholars, but it is most commonly understood as a musical or liturgical direction meaning pause, reflect, or to praise. Some scholars suggest it may derive from salah, meaning to hang or weigh, implying a moment to weigh what has been said. Its mysterious beauty has made it increasingly popular as a given name.
What is the origin of the name Selah?
Selah has Hebrew, American, Christian, and Jewish origins. In Hebrew, it means "to praise; to exalt".
Is Selah a boy or girl name?
Selah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #280. As a boy name, it is ranked #4812. Selah is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Selah?
Selah is currently ranked #280 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Selah?
Common nicknames for Selah include Ley and Lah.
What are good middle names for Selah?
Popular middle name pairings include Selah Grace, Selah Joy, Selah Marie, Selah Rose, Selah Faith, Selah Hope, and Selah Anne.
What are good sibling names for Selah?
Names that pair well with Selah as siblings include Shiloh, Zion, Eden, Ezra, Lyric, Mercy, Levi, and Noah.
How many syllables does Selah have?
Selah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Selah a common or rare name?
Selah is a popular name, ranked #280 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Selah?
Are there other spellings for Selah?
Related spellings include Sela.
About the Name Selah
Selah is a girl name with American, Christian, and Jewish origins . The name means "to praise; to exalt" in Hebrew .
Is Selah a boy or girl name? Selah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #280 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #4,812. Selah is more commonly used as a girl name.
Selah is currently ranked #280 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Selah has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Selah include Ley and Lah. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Selah include Sela . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis