Origin & Meaning of the Salem Surname
What does the last name Salem mean?
The surname Salem carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 8,404 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Salem ranks as the #4,215 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Salem come from?
The Salem surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Salem name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Salem trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Salem |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #4,215 |
| US Count (2010) | 8,404 |
| Per 100K People | 2.85 |
| First Letter | S |
Ethnic Distribution of Salem
According to the US Census, the Salem surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 8,404 Americans with the Salem last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 79.11% |
| Black | 4.18% |
| Hispanic | 5.68% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 6.09% |
| Native American | 0.25% |
| Two or More Races | 4.7% |
Popularity of Salem Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Salem surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Salem surname increased by 1,991 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Salem
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Salem.
Other Unknown Surnames
Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Salem.
Frequently Asked Questions About Salem
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