"righteous, virtuous, good"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Salih
Does Salih flow with your last name?
A Quranic prophet's name meaning righteousness
Arabic
Turkish
Muslim
African
Traditional
Spiritual
Classic
Strong
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"pious, devout"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Turkish
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The Story of Salih
Salih comes from the Arabic root 'salaha,' meaning to be righteous, good, or virtuous. It is one of the most spiritually significant names in Islamic tradition, borne by the Prophet Salih, who is mentioned in the Quran as a messenger sent to the people of Thamud. The name encapsulates the core Islamic virtue of moral uprightness.
Salih remains consistently popular throughout the Muslim world, particularly in Turkey, Arab countries, and among Muslim communities globally. Its Quranic significance ensures it never goes out of fashion among families seeking names with deep religious meaning.
In Islam, the Prophet Salih is venerated as a messenger of God who called his people to monotheism. The name is considered highly virtuous and spiritually aspirational. In Turkey, the variant Salih is one of the most common traditional male names, deeply embedded in cultural identity.
Historical Record
Salih first appeared in US Social Security records in 1973.
Over 565 babies have been named Salih in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Salih is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #4,391 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Prophet Salih is mentioned by name nine times in the Quran
- The name Salih appears in various spellings across 50+ countries due to Arabic's global influence
Salih in Other Languages
Urdu
صالح
Arabic
صالح
Persian
صالح
Swahili
Salehe
Turkish
Salih
Popularity Over Time
#4,391
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Salih
S
Salih Muslim
Politician
1951
Kurdish politician and co-chairman of the Democratic Union Party in Syria
P
Prophet Salih
Religious
Islamic prophet mentioned in the Quran, sent to the people of Thamud to call them to worship one God
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Compare Salih with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,391
- Total SSA Count
- 24
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Turkish Muslim African
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Sal
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, spiritual style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Salih
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Sanskrit origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Salih
What does the name Salih mean?
"righteous, virtuous, good" (from Arabic). "pious, devout" (from Arabic). Salih comes from the Arabic root 'salaha,' meaning to be righteous, good, or virtuous. It is one of the most spiritually significant names in Islamic tradition, borne by the Prophet Salih, who is mentioned in the Quran as a messenger sent to the people of Thamud. The name encapsulates the core Islamic virtue of moral uprightness.
What is the origin of the name Salih?
Salih has Arabic, Turkish, Muslim, and African origins. In Arabic, it means "righteous, virtuous, good". In Arabic, it means "pious, devout".
Is Salih a boy or girl name?
Salih is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Salih?
Salih is currently ranked #4391 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Salih?
Common nicknames for Salih include Sal.
What are good middle names for Salih?
Popular middle name pairings include Salih Ahmad, Salih Muhammad, Salih Hassan, Salih Omar, Salih Ibrahim, Salih Yusuf, and Salih Khalid.
What are good sibling names for Salih?
Names that pair well with Salih as siblings include Ibrahim, Fatima, Omar, Layla, Hassan, Amira, and Tariq.
How many syllables does Salih have?
Salih has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Salih a common or rare name?
Salih is an uncommon name, ranked #4391 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Salih?
Are there other spellings for Salih?
Related spellings include Salim.
About the Name Salih
Salih is a boy name with Arabic, Turkish, Muslim, and African origins . The name means "righteous, virtuous, good" in Arabic .
Salih is currently ranked #4,391 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Salih has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Salih include Sal. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Salih include Salim . 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