Selah
How to say it: SEE-luh · /ˈsiːlə/
Hebrew term found throughout the Psalms; meaning uncertain — possibly 'pause', 'praise', or a musical notation.
Selah was the 250th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 1,416 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up 2.0-fold in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #148 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #250 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 1,416 |
| Share of births | 1 in 2,341 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | ×2.0 |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #148 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,541 among girls’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Almost all of Selah's use has come very recently, with the 2020s marking its peak. Additional gains are anticipated shortly.
What goes with it
Gentle, soft and breathy, Selah has a calm hush. Shiloh echoes its quiet tone.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Selah is about 1 in 98.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, Hebrew.
In France: #2,541 for girls in 2025.
Keep exploring
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