UK name, mostly girls
Sali
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "sincere, chaste, or virtuous".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 12 boys.
Sali is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Sali popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5876, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 4 births.
This profile covers 34 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 1997 to 2012. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 34 living people in the UK are called Sali. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sali ranked #5876 for girls in England and Wales in 2012, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 4 girls were registered as Sali.
- • Sali is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 34 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sali as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 73.9% of Sali registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5876
2012
Births in 2012
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
4 births
Estimated living
34
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Sali
In England and Wales birth records, Sali has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 26.1% of registrations are for boys and 73.9% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Sali registered for boys
- Ranked #4,991 in 2023
- 3 boys registered in 2023
- Peak: 2016 (6 births)
Sali registered for girls
- Ranked #5,876 in 2012
- 3 girls registered in 2012
- Peak: 2001 (4 births)
Meaning
What does Sali mean?
The name Sali has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "salih," which means "pious" or "righteous." The name was commonly used in the Middle East and North Africa during this time period, particularly in regions where Arabic was the dominant language.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sali can be found in ancient Arabic texts and manuscripts, where it was often used as a descriptive name for individuals who were considered to be devout and virtuous. In some Islamic traditions, the name Sali is associated with religious figures and saints, further reinforcing its connection to piety and spirituality.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Sali. One such person was Sali al-Rahawi, a renowned Islamic scholar and philosopher who lived in the 9th century. He was known for his contributions to the fields of logic and metaphysics, and his works were widely studied in the Islamic world during that era.
Another famous bearer of the name was Sali ibn Razin, a 7th-century Arab military leader and statesman who played a significant role in the early Islamic conquests. He was renowned for his strategic prowess and leadership skills, and his exploits were recorded in various historical chronicles of the time.
In the field of literature, Sali al-Andalusi was a prominent Arabic poet who lived in the 11th century. He was born in Andalusia, Spain, and his poetry was celebrated for its beauty and depth, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region during the Golden Age of Islamic civilization.
Moving forward in time, Sali Paleologina was a Byzantine princess who lived in the 14th century. She was a member of the Paleologos dynasty, which ruled the Byzantine Empire during its final decades. Sali Paleologina was known for her diplomatic skills and played a crucial role in negotiating alliances and treaties during a tumultuous period in Byzantine history.
Additionally, Sali Ouri was a 19th-century Egyptian scholar and writer who made significant contributions to the field of Arabic literature. He was particularly known for his works on grammar and linguistics, which helped preserve and promote the Arabic language during a time of cultural and intellectual renaissance in Egypt.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Sali, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural and intellectual heritage across different regions and eras.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sali over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Sali in England and Wales, from 1997 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sali, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2012, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sali by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sali was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5876 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4033 | 25 | 7 |
| 1990s | #3836 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Sali
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Sali: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sali in the UK right now?
In 2012, Sali was ranked #5876 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sali most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 4 babies registered as Sali in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sali?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "sincere, chaste, or virtuous".
How many people are called Sali in the UK?
A total of 34 babies have been registered as Sali across the 10 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.