Selim
Every Selim since 1971 — 1,023 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Selim
Selim is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,638 in 2025 with 50 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1971, 1,023 American babies have been named Selim. Its peak came in 2017, when 78 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Selim stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Selim year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 50 | #2,638 |
| 2024 | 64 | #2,260 |
| 2023 | 54 | #2,504 |
| 2022 | 59 | #2,402 |
| 2021 | 56 | #2,432 |
| 2020 | 50 | #2,579 |
| 2019 | 74 | #1,995 |
| 2018 | 75 | #1,974 |
| 2017 | 78 | #1,880 |
| 2016 | 62 | #2,201 |
| 2015 | 56 | #2,350 |
| 2014 | 59 | #2,270 |
| 2013 | 30 | #3,567 |
| 2012 | 26 | #3,987 |
| 2011 | 26 | #3,969 |
| 2010 | 18 | #5,211 |
| 2009 | 15 | #6,037 |
| 2008 | 16 | #5,723 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8,804 |
| 2006 | 13 | #6,394 |
| 2005 | 13 | #6,160 |
| 2004 | 11 | #6,899 |
| 2003 | 16 | #5,002 |
| 2002 | 10 | #6,964 |
| 2001 | 9 | #7,420 |
| 2000 | 12 | #5,852 |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | #7,401 |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Selim
- Selim II Politician · 1524–1574
- Selim I Politician · 1470–1520
- Selim III Politician · 1761–1808
- Selim Palmgren Composer · 1878–1951
- Selim Benachour Soccer player · b. 1981
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Selim in 2025?
Selim ranked #2,638 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 50 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Selim?
1,023 babies have been named Selim in the United States since 1971, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Selim most popular?
Selim peaked in 2017, when 78 newborns received the name.
Is Selim a boy or girl name?
Selim is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Selim rising or falling?
Selim is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Selim?
Well-known people named Selim include Selim II (politician), Selim I (politician), Selim III (politician).