Shalom

Pronunciation: [ sh-uhl-OHM ]

Boy Name #1,723 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The Hebrew word for peace — a name and a blessing in one

Hebrew Jewish Israeli Ethiopian Jewish

Spiritual Traditional Gentle Classic Elegant

Meaning & Origin

"peace, completeness, welfare"

Origin: Hebrew root shin-lamed-mem

Language: Hebrew

"wholeness, harmony"

Origin: Ancient Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

The Story of Shalom

Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) is one of the most important words in the Hebrew language, meaning peace, completeness, welfare, and harmony. It derives from the root shin-lamed-mem (שׁלם), conveying the idea of wholeness or completeness. Shalom is used as a greeting, farewell, and blessing in Jewish culture, as well as a personal name. It appears hundreds of times in the Hebrew Bible.

Shalom has been a given name in Jewish communities for millennia, and is particularly common among Sephardic Jews, Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel), and traditional Ashkenazi families. In modern Israel it remains a respected given name. Outside Jewish communities, it is recognized globally as the Hebrew word for peace.

Shalom is the quintessential Hebrew word — it encapsulates the Jewish concept of peace not just as an absence of conflict but as completeness, harmony, and well-being in all aspects of life. As a given name, it is both a blessing and an aspiration. It is used as a standard greeting in Hebrew (shalom aleichem, peace be upon you).

Fun Facts

Shalom appears over 250 times in the Hebrew Bible
In Arabic, the cognate word 'Salam' (سلام) has the same root and meaning — demonstrating shared Semitic heritage
Sholem Aleichem (Yiddish for 'Peace be upon you') was the pen name of Yiddish writer Sholem Yankev Abramovitsh, author of stories that inspired Fiddler on the Roof

Shalom in Other Languages

Hebrew שָׁלוֹם

Amharic ሰላም (Selam)

English Shalom

Yiddish שׁלום (Sholem)

Arabic equivalent سلام (Salam)

Famous People Named Shalom

Shalom Harlow

Actor

1973

Canadian model and actress known for her work in fashion and film

Sholem Aleichem (Shalom Rabinowitz)

Writer

1859

Beloved Yiddish author whose Tevye stories inspired Fiddler on the Roof

Shalom (greeting)

Other

The Hebrew word for peace, used as a greeting, farewell, and blessing throughout Jewish culture for over 3,000 years

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,723
Total SSA Count: 96
Cultural Origins: Hebrew Jewish Israeli Ethiopian Jewish
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Shali Lomi

Pairs Well With

Shalom Moshe Shalom David Shalom Yonatan Shalom Eliezer Shalom Avi Shalom Tzvi Shalom Noam

Sibling Names

Noam Tov Simcha Revital Liora Amir Dror

Also a Girl Name

Shalom is also used as a girl name, ranked #3645.

View Shalom as a girl name →

Similar Names

Solomon Salomon Salem Sholom Shlomo Zalmen Shulem Shlome

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shalom

What does the name Shalom mean?

"peace, completeness, welfare" (from Hebrew root shin-lamed-mem). "wholeness, harmony" (from Ancient Hebrew). Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) is one of the most important words in the Hebrew language, meaning peace, completeness, welfare, and harmony. It derives from the root shin-lamed-mem (שׁלם), conveying the idea of wholeness or completeness. Shalom is used as a greeting, farewell, and blessing in Jewish culture, as well as a personal name. It appears hundreds of times in the Hebrew Bible.

What is the origin of the name Shalom?

Shalom has Hebrew root shin-lamed-mem, Ancient Hebrew, Hebrew, Jewish, Israeli, and Ethiopian Jewish origins. In Hebrew root shin-lamed-mem, it means "peace, completeness, welfare". In Ancient Hebrew, it means "wholeness, harmony".

Is Shalom a boy or girl name?

Shalom is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1723. As a girl name, it is ranked #3645. Shalom is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Shalom?

Shalom is pronounced sh-uhl-OHM.

How popular is the name Shalom?

Shalom is currently ranked #1723 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Shalom?

Common nicknames for Shalom include Shali and Lomi.

What are good middle names for Shalom?

Popular middle name pairings include Shalom Moshe, Shalom David, Shalom Yonatan, Shalom Eliezer, Shalom Avi, Shalom Tzvi, and Shalom Noam.

What are good sibling names for Shalom?

Names that pair well with Shalom as siblings include Noam, Tov, Simcha, Revital, Liora, Amir, and Dror.

How many syllables does Shalom have?

Shalom has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Shalom a common or rare name?

Shalom is an uncommon name, ranked #1723 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Shalom

Shalom is a boy name with Hebrew, Jewish, Israeli, and Ethiopian Jewish origins . The name means "peace, completeness, welfare" in Hebrew root shin-lamed-mem .

Is Shalom a boy or girl name? Shalom is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,723 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #3,645. Shalom is more commonly used as a boy name.

Shalom is currently ranked #1,723 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Shalom has 2 syllables and is pronounced sh-uhl-OHM, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Shalom include Shali and Lomi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.