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NamyLab

Selah

male
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Pause Reflection"

Term appearing in Psalms with uncertain precise function, often interpreted as a pause or reflection marker, later adopted as a given name.

Themes:biblicalpsalmsliturgicalmodernunisex

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection CuratorCreative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Selah

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#4837Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#4837

Selah was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+2384

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Selah Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Selah.

8 ideas
sela
Nickname
sely
Nickname
elah
Nickname
lahy
Nickname
selahy
Nickname
selaho
Nickname
se
Nickname
sie
Nickname

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Selah mean?
Selah means "Pause Reflection". Term appearing in Psalms with uncertain precise function, often interpreted as a pause or reflection marker, later adopt
What is the origin of Selah?
Selah is of Hebrew origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Selah?
According to the latest SSA data, Selah is currently ranked #4837 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Selah a boy name?
Selah is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Selah?
Popular nicknames for Selah include sela, sely, elah, lahy, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Selah?
There are many names similar to Selah in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginHebrew
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#4837
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withS

Explore More Boy Names Like Selah

Selah has Hebrew roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Hebrew baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Selah appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Biblical Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Hebrew Baby Names and Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Selah pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Selah beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.