UK girl's name
Salwa
An Arabic feminine name meaning "calm, serene" or "luxurious".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Salwa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Salwa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1406, with 23 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 23 births.
This profile covers 398 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 396 living people in the UK are called Salwa. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Salwa ranked #1406 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 23 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2013, when 23 girls were registered as Salwa.
- • About 396 living people in the UK are estimated to have Salwa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1406
2024
Births in 2024
23
Latest year
Peak year
2013
23 births
Estimated living
396
2026
Meaning
What does Salwa mean?
The name Salwa is believed to have its origins in the Arabic language. It is thought to be derived from the Arabic word "salwah," which means "comfort" or "solace." This suggests that the name was likely given to children with the hope that they would bring peace and tranquility to their families.
Historical records indicate that the name Salwa was in use as early as the 7th century, during the early years of Islam. It is possible that the name was initially popularized among Arabic-speaking communities in regions like the Middle East and North Africa.
One of the earliest known references to the name Salwa can be found in the writings of the 9th century Arab poet and scholar, Al-Jahiz. In his work, he mentions a woman named Salwa who was known for her intelligence and literary talent.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Salwa. One such individual was Salwa Mukhtar (1905-1973), an Egyptian writer and feminist activist who played a significant role in advocating for women's rights in Egypt.
Another prominent figure was Salwa Amin Shunnar (1927-2015), a Jordanian archaeologist and academic who made important contributions to the study of ancient civilizations in the Middle East. She was particularly renowned for her excavations at the site of Petra in Jordan.
In the realm of literature, Salwa Bakr (1949-2019) was an acclaimed Egyptian novelist and short story writer. Her works often explored themes of identity, gender, and the complexities of modern Egyptian society.
Salwa Petersen (born 1958) is a renowned South African sculptor and installation artist. Her works, which often incorporate found objects and materials, have been exhibited globally and are known for their exploration of themes related to memory and identity.
Salwa Nakkara (born 1963) is a prominent Lebanese singer and actress who has achieved significant popularity in the Arab world. She has released numerous albums and has starred in several television series and films throughout her career.
It is worth noting that while the name Salwa has its roots in Arabic, it has transcended cultural and linguistic boundaries and has been adopted by various communities around the world, each potentially imparting their own unique cultural significance and interpretations to the name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Salwa over time
The chart below shows babies named Salwa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Salwa, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 23 births in 2024, compared with 23 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Salwa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Salwa 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 | #1622 | 94 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1889 | 157 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1922 | 118 | 10 |
| 1990s | #2145 | 29 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Salwa
- 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
Salwa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Salwa in the UK right now?
In 2024, Salwa was ranked #1406 for girls in England and Wales, with 23 births registered.
When was Salwa most popular?
The peak year on record was 2013, with 23 babies registered as Salwa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Salwa?
An Arabic feminine name meaning "calm, serene" or "luxurious".
How many people are called Salwa in the UK?
A total of 398 babies have been registered as Salwa across the 29 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.