NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Salihah

A feminine Arabic name meaning obedient or righteous.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Salihah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Salihah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4709, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 14 births.

This profile covers 138 England and Wales registrations across 21 recorded years from 1996 to 2023. 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 29% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 137 living people in the UK are called Salihah. 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 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Salihah ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2003, when 14 girls were registered as Salihah.
  • About 137 living people in the UK are estimated to have Salihah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4709

2023

Births in 2023

4

Latest year

Peak year

2003

14 births

Estimated living

137

2026

Meaning

What does Salihah mean?

The name Salihah originates from the Arabic language and has roots in the Islamic faith. It is derived from the word "salih," which means "virtuous" or "righteous." The name Salihah is primarily used in Arabic-speaking regions and among Muslim communities worldwide.

According to Islamic tradition, the name Salihah is mentioned in the Quran, which is the central religious text of Islam. It is often associated with the concept of living a righteous and virtuous life, following the teachings of Islam and striving for spiritual purity.

The earliest recorded use of the name Salihah can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the early Islamic era. However, it gained more widespread popularity in the following centuries as Islam spread across various regions.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Salihah was Salihah bint Sa'id al-Ansariyah, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad who lived in the 7th century CE. She was known for her piety and devotion to the Islamic faith.

Another notable figure with the name Salihah was Salihah al-Hilli, a renowned scholar and poet who lived in the 13th century CE. She was born in the city of Hilla, located in modern-day Iraq, and was celebrated for her contributions to Arabic literature and Islamic studies.

In the 14th century, Salihah al-Maqdisiyah was a prominent female scholar from Jerusalem (al-Quds). She was renowned for her expertise in various Islamic sciences, including hadith (the recorded sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad) and Sharia law.

During the 16th century, Salihah Sultan was a prominent figure in the Ottoman Empire. She was the daughter of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and played an influential role in the political and cultural affairs of the empire.

In the 19th century, Salihah al-Misriyah was a renowned Egyptian poet and writer. She was known for her literary works that explored themes of love, spirituality, and social issues faced by women in her time.

These are just a few examples of notable figures throughout history who bore the name Salihah. The name continues to be popular among Muslim communities worldwide, carrying the symbolic meaning of virtue, righteousness, and spiritual purity.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Salihah over time

The chart below shows babies named Salihah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Salihah, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 14 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Salihah
0471114199620092023

Decades

Salihah by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Salihah 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
2020s #4709 4 1
2010s #5289 21 6
2000s #2318 90 10
1990s #2617 23 4

Related

Names similar to Salihah

FAQ

Salihah: questions and answers

How popular is the name Salihah in the UK right now?

In 2023, Salihah was ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Salihah most popular?

The peak year on record was 2003, with 14 babies registered as Salihah in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Salihah?

A feminine Arabic name meaning obedient or righteous.

How many people are called Salihah in the UK?

A total of 138 babies have been registered as Salihah across the 21 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.