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Last Name Salah

What is the origin of the last name Salah?

The surname Salah is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "salāḥ" which means "righteousness, welfare, and health". This name has been used by Muslims for centuries and is popular among people of Arab and Islamic descent. In some cases, it may also be spelled as Saleh or Selah in various transliterations of the original Arabic script.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Salah

The meaning and origin of the last name Salah

The surname Salah originates from the Arabic language, where it means "health," "well-being," or "peace." It is a common name among Muslims and has been distributed across various regions due to historical migrations and expansions of Islamic civilization. Historically, it can be traced back to the Middle East and North Africa. The name Salah has also been present in other parts of the world through diaspora, especially in countries with significant Muslim populations such as Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Turkey. In these contexts, the surname Salah signifies a connection to the Islamic faith or Arabic heritage. Notable individuals bearing this name include Mohamed Salah, an Egyptian professional footballer, and Abdul Salam Yousuf Salih, a Sudanese economist who was the first African Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Geographical distribution of the last name Salah

The surname Salah is predominantly found in Arabic-speaking regions, particularly within North Africa (such as Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria), as well as parts of the Middle East (including Palestine, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia). Additionally, there is a significant number of individuals carrying the Salah surname in countries with large Arab immigrant populations, such as the United States, Canada, and various European nations. The distribution of this name reflects the historical migration patterns of Arab peoples, with many moving to other parts of the world due to trade, politics, or seeking better opportunities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Salah

The surname Salah, of Arabic origin, has several variations and spellings in English. These include Salih, Saleh, Selah, Salehah (feminine), Salaheen, Salaha, and Salahuddin. Additionally, it may also be transliterated as Salahy, Salachy, or Saalah depending on the specific region or family's preference. These variations are mainly due to differences in pronunciation or spelling conventions when transcribing from Arabic script into Latin characters. However, all these forms share a common root and can be traced back to the Arabic word "salih," which means righteous, virtuous, or good.

Famous people with the last name Salah

Mohamed Salah, born in 1992, is arguably the most prominent individual carrying the surname Salah globally. Known as Mo Salah, he is an Egyptian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Liverpool and the Egypt national team. He was named the African Footballer of the Year in both 2017 and 2018, and finished runner-up for the FIFA Best Men's Player award during that same period. In the 2018 UEFA Champions League final, he scored a late equalizer to take Liverpool to a penalty shootout, where they went on to win against Real Madrid, making Salah a Europa-wide icon. These achievements have cemented his status as one of the greatest African footballers of all time. Another notable figure with the surname Salah is Ramy Salah, an Egyptian entrepreneur and businessman who made headlines for purchasing Chechen-owned properties in Egypt during the presidency of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Genealogical research on the last name Salah

The Salah surname originates from the Arabic language and is traditionally associated with the Middle East, particularly the regions of Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, and Saudi Arabia. It is an Islamic name, derived from the Arabic word "Salah," meaning prayer or worship. The first recorded use of the Salah surname can be traced back to the 9th century in Egypt during the Abbasid Caliphate. Over centuries, as Arabic-speaking populations migrated and settled in various parts of the world, the Salah name spread. In modern times, significant Salah families are found in numerous countries including Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Salah Abdeslam, a suspect in the 2015 Paris attacks, Salah El Din Ayyoub, a former Egyptian minister of culture, and Salah Mejri, a professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 13 June 2025

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