Explore the Family Name Salama

The meaning of Salama

1. Arabic: from a male personal name based on salāmah ‘safety, security’, a word which is a feminine form of salām ‘peace, safety, security’ (see Salam). This surname is found among both Muslims and Christians (Copts). Compare Salameh and Slama 2, see also Salamat. 2. Jewish (Sephardic): Arabic translation (see 1 above) of the Hebrew name Shelomo, a derivative of shalom ‘peace’ (see Solomon). Some characteristic forenames: Arabic/Muslim Mohamed, Mahmoud, Mostafa, Samir, Ahmed, Emad, Essam, Hany, Mamdouh, Nabil, Yousef, Amira. French Andre, Jean-Pierre, Yves. Jewish Moises, Ovadia, Asaf, Mayer, Meir.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Salama in the United States?

Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Salama has increased between 2000 and 2010. In the year 2000, Salama was ranked as the 23,087th most popular surname in the United States with approximately 1,033 individuals carrying it. This represents a proportion of 0.38 per 100,000 people. By the year 2010, the surname had risen to the 17,472nd rank with about 1,613 bearers, indicating a proportion of 0.55 per 100,000 people. This highlights an increase in both rank and count by 24.32% and 56.15%, respectively.

20002010Change
Rank#23,087#17,47224.32%
Count1,0331,61356.15%
Proportion per 100k0.380.5544.74%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Salama

In terms of ethnic identity, the census data reveals shifts in the distribution among those with the surname Salama over the ten-year period. As of 2000, the majority identifying as White amounted to 75.31%, which rose to 87.41% in 2010, showing a 16.07% increase. Those identifying as Hispanic also saw growth from 3.29% to 6.32%. The proportion of individuals who identify as Black slightly rose from 2.13% to 2.79%. However, there was a remarkable decrease in those reporting two or more races from 18.30% to 2.29%. Data for Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian and Alaskan Native were either suppressed or unchanged.

20002010Change
White75.31%87.41%16.07%
Hispanic3.29%6.32%92.1%
Black2.13%2.79%30.99%
Two or More Races18.3%2.29%-87.49%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.97%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%