Names That Mean Safe

Artemis, one of the key figures of the female Greek pantheon, is the ancient virgin goddess of the hunt, wilderness, animals, childbirth, and a protector of young girls, later associated with the moon. Artemis is the equivalent to the Roman Diana, but a fresher and more distinctive, if offbeat, choice.

Best known as the the Greek Goddess of the hunt and the moon, Artemis could now be considered one of the few traditionally feminine names that are currently being used for boys. Alternatively though, when pronounced ahr-TEH-mis, it is a valid Greek masculine name – a diminutive of Artemios.

Salem is a Biblical place name in Canaan, believed to be the same as Jerusalem, as well as the Massachusetts town famous for its late 17th century witch trials. Salem is also a popular first name in its own right throughout the Arabic world.

Salem is a biblical place-name in Canaan, believed to be the same as Jerusalem. Americans may be more familiar with Salem as the name of the Massachusetts town famous for its witch trials in the late 1600s. It's also a popular Arabic name widely-used for both genders.

The usage of this Arabic name has been increasing in the US, joining the Top 1000 for the first time in 2015. Aminah bint Wahb was the mother of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek lends a large dollop of glamour to this name that would otherwise resemble the middle-aged Selma.

Sarah Palin spelled it Trig, as in the nickname for trigonometry, but Trygg is a genuine Norwegian word name for boys.

The name of two Biblical figures, one a supporter of St. Paul and the other a Corinthian ruler. Virtually unknown in the U.S. but used in the form Sosthene in modern France.

Spelled Najee, this was chosen by rapper LL Cool J for his son several years ago.

Salim is a popular Arabic name used in this form mostly for boys, though the variation Salem -- also a Biblical place-name -- is more popular for girls. In the US, the version given to girls is more usually the feminization Salima or Salimah.

Very popular throughout the Arab world and growing in use in the US as well, where it was given last year to more than 50 baby girls.

Yavuz Selim was a 16th-century sultan of the Ottoman Empire, which grew dramatically over his eight-year reign. Boys in Turkey are given this double-barreled first name in his honor.

Distinguished by association with renowned African diplomat Salim Ahmed Salim, this name is popular in many variations throughout the Arab world. Its use is growing in the US as well, especially in its Salem version.

Salimah is the least popular version of this name in the US, with Salima used five times as often for baby girls. But all versions of the name, which include Salim and Salem, are widely used throughout the Arab world.

In the US, Salima is the more usual variation of this name. Salem, which might be another variation or an alternative place-name for Jerusalem, is more popular for girls as well as boys.