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Zahra vs Salma

Which is more popular?
Zahra is more popular than Salma today: about 562 US babies were given the name Zahra in 2025, compared with 278 named Salma.
ZahraSalma
Meaning Radiant; flower, blossom Safe, peaceful
Origin arabic arabic
Gender Girl Girl
Pronunciation ZAH-rah SAL-mah
Syllables 2 2
First appeared19731918
Peak year2025 (562)1999 (442)
In 2025562278
TrendNear its peakSteady
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Zahra Salma
192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeZahraSalma
2020s 3,062 1,724
2010s 3,645 3,321
2000s 1,540 3,488
1990s 688 1,535
1980s 349 178
1970s 111 59
1910s 0 6

What does Zahra mean?

Zahra draws on the Arabic root z-h-r, giving both 'flower, blossom' (زهرة, zahra) and 'radiant, luminous, bright' (زهراء, zahra'). Al-Zahra' ('the Radiant') is a traditional epithet of Fatima, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, which adds to the name's devotional resonance.

What does Salma mean?

Salma (سلمى, salma) comes from the Arabic root s-l-m ('peace, safety, soundness') - the same root as salam and Islam - and means 'safe, peaceful, unharmed'. It is a classical name used in early Arabic poetry.

Frequently asked questions

Is Zahra or Salma more popular?

Zahra is more popular than Salma today: about 562 US babies were given the name Zahra in 2025, compared with 278 named Salma.

What is the difference between Zahra and Salma?

Zahra means Radiant; flower, blossom (arabic origin), while Salma means Safe, peaceful (arabic origin).

Which name is older, Zahra or Salma?

In US records, Zahra first appears in 1973 and Salma in 1918, so Salma has the longer recorded history.