Shalom is a Hebrew masculine given name that means "peace". It comes from the Hebrew word שָׁלוֹם (shālōm), which also has connotations of completeness, tranquility, and harmony.
The name Shalom is most commonly associated with Judaism, as it is often used in Jewish culture and religion. In fact, the phrase "Shalom Aleichem" (shalom aleichem) means "peace be upon you" and is a traditional greeting among Jews. The name is also found in Christian traditions, particularly among those of Middle Eastern descent.
Throughout history, Shalom has been borne by several notable figures. One famous example is the Jewish philosopher and rabbi Shalom ben Isaac (also known as Rashi), who lived in France during the 11th century. He was a renowned biblical commentator whose works are still studied today. Another notable figure is Sholem Aleichem, the pen name of the Ukrainian-born Yiddish author Sholem Rabinowitz. He wrote many stories and novels that depicted Jewish life in Eastern Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In recent years, the name Shalom has become more popular outside of Jewish communities due to its positive meaning and sound. Today, it is sometimes used as a given name for boys in various cultures around the world, including those with no Jewish background whatsoever.
Overall, Shalom is a beautiful and meaningful name that symbolizes peace and harmony, making it a fitting choice for parents looking for a name with deep cultural roots and a positive connotation.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe an interesting trend regarding the number of babies named Sholom born each year in the United States over time.
In the early years from 1918 to 1971, there were fewer than ten births with the name Sholom per year. However, starting in 1972, we see a significant increase, with numbers ranging from nine to twenty-four births annually until 1986.
The peak of popularity for the name Sholom occurs between the years 1984 and 1987, reaching its highest point at 24 births in 1984. After this peak, there is a decline in the number of babies named Sholom born each year until around 1990.
From 1990 onwards, the name Sholom starts to regain popularity once again. Between 1997 and 2013, we see a consistent increase in the annual number of births with this name, with some notable peaks at 30 births in 2001 and 40 births in 2013.
The year 2020 marks another significant peak for the popularity of the name Sholom, with 52 babies being born that year. Since then, the numbers have remained consistently high, with 39 births in 2021 and 44 births in 2022. Most recently, there were 45 births named Sholom in 2023.
In conclusion, while the name Sholom may not have been extremely popular throughout the entire period from 1918 to 2023, it has seen several periods of notable popularity and interest among parents choosing names for their children. Overall, there have been a total of 1400 babies named Sholom born in the United States during this timeframe.