Given name
Zulema
“one who is peaceful and safe”·“a peaceful man”
Zulema is a variant of Zalman. In Hebrew use, Zalman carries the interpretation “a peaceful man.” Zulema is a form of Salama. One Egyptian interpretation is “one who is peaceful and safe.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In Arabic use, Zulema carries the interpretation “one who is peaceful and safe.” Zulema is a variant of Zalman. In Hebrew use, Zalman carries the interpretation “a peaceful man.” Zulema is a form of Salama. One Egyptian interpretation is “one who is peaceful and safe.”
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Arabic.
How it developed
Zulema is used as a form of Salama.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1889. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Zulema through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 4,062
- 0 boys · 4,062 girls
- Most popular year
- 1996
- 106 babies
- 2025
- 64
- #2,718 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +28%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 64 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 2,718 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 27.8% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 106 in 1996. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (23). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 5,541 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Zulema’s family of names
Zulema has a related form in Zuleyka. Zulema has a related form in Zuleyma. Zulema has a related form in Zuleima.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 11
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
- Zuleykavariant
- Zuleymavariant
- Zalmanvariant
- Zuleimavariant
- Zullemalikely variant
- Zulemmalikely variant
- Zulymavariant
- Zalamavariant
Show 3 moreShow fewer
Across languages 1
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Zulema
- Ali of La PalomeraAstrologer1190
- Zulema Castro de PeñaArgentine activist1920–2013
- Zulema González GonzálezSpanish football referee (born 1992)
- Zulema Yomaformer First lady of Argentinaborn 1938
- Zulema de la CruzSpanish composerborn 1958
- Zulema María Eva MenemArgentine first ladyborn 1970
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Zulema, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Salma
“one who is healthy and safe” · “one who is peaceful and safe”
>99% girls
Khadijah
“a perfect woman” · “a child born prematurely”
>99% girls
Dalia
“dahlia” · “one who is gentle”
>99% girls
Guadalupe
“from the valley of wolves” · “from the river of the wolf”
13% boys · 87% girls
Hanna
“God is gracious”
>99% girls
Fatima
Fatima is used as a given name and a surname. One Arabic interpretation is “the perfect woman; in the Koran, a daughter of Muhammad.”
>99% girls
Yasmine
“resembling the jasmine flower”
>99% girls
Aida
“one who is wealthy; prosperous” · “one who is helpful”
>99% girls