SALEH
Saleh is a surname of Arabic origin, derived from the Arabic word sālih, which translates to virtuous or righteous. It is frequently encountered among Muslim populations, both as a family name and as a first name.
The significance of the name lies in its moral connotations. It reflects the high value placed on justice and honesty within Arabic culture and is used in the Qur’an to refer to those who submit to Allah and adhere to the Islamic faith. Consequently, the surname is associated with a person who is morally upright, pious and committed to principles of righteousness and goodness.
Geographically, Saleh is widespread throughout the Arab world. It is common in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Iraq, Jordan, and Yemen. The name is also found throughout North Africa—in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt—where the majority of bearers are Muslim. Its presence extends to Central Asian republics such as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, and it has been recorded in parts of Africa, notably Somalia, a country where the surname is associated with the Somali Muslim community.
Some notable individuals who bear this surname include Saleh Al‑Sayer, who served as Minister of Health for Saudi Arabia from 2009, and Fadia Saleh, a writer and journalist recognised for her work on Middle Eastern affairs and gender equality.
Variations of the surname are extensive and arise primarily from differences in transliteration. Common variants include Saleha, Salih, Salaha, Saliha, Salah, Salahe, Salyah, Slah, and Selah, among others. The name has also been adopted outside the Arab world, for example in India where variants such as Salleh, Salleha, Salihah, and Salea appear. These variations, however, all trace back to the same Arabic root.
In contemporary migration patterns, the surname has become increasingly common in Western countries, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. According to the United States Census Bureau, Saleh ranks as the 259th most popular surname in the U.S., with roughly 30,000 individuals bearing the name. In the United Kingdom the surname is the 266th most common, reflecting its growing presence among people of Arab descent in the country.
Overall, the surname Saleh remains a prominent marker of cultural and religious identity within the Arabic-speaking world and beyond, its meaning of righteousness or justice continuing to resonate with those who bear it.
Typical given names associated with the Saleh surname
Male
- Abdul
- Abu
- Adam
- Ahmad
- Ahmed
- Ali
- Hassan
- Mohamed
- Mohammed
- Omar
- Paul
Female
- Abby
- Amina
- Carol
- Elaine
- Fatima
- Fatma
- Ghada
- Khadija
- Nadia
- Natalie
- Samira
- Sara
- Sarah
- Yasmin
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Saleh in...
Braille
⠎⠁⠇⠑⠓
Morse
....-.-.......
Semaphore
There are approximately 3,016 people named Saleh in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,976th most common surname in Britain. Around 46 in a million people in Britain are named Saleh.
Region of origin: Africa
Country of origin: Somalia
Religion of origin: Muslim
Famous people named Saleh
- Nathanael Saleh - Actor
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.