Sal Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Sal is a name with Latin origins, meaning 'salt'. It has evolved from historical forms like Salvator and Salvatore. The name is commonly associated with warmth and friendliness. It does not have biblical relevance but has gained popularity in various cultures, particularly in Italian and Spanish contexts.
The name Sal is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Sal has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Sal' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1502nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 986th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 935th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1355th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2729th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6547th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8169th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Sal' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Sal"
Pronunciation
/sæl/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Sal is derived from the Latin word 'sal', meaning 'salt'. It is often used as a diminutive form of names like Salvatore or Salvador.
Meaning
salt
Language Evolution
Sal, Salvator, Salvatore
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity particularly in Italian and Spanish cultures, often associated with the concept of salvation due to its roots in the name Salvatore.
Variants & Derivatives
Salvador, Salvatore, Salvatrice
Modern Popularity & Image
The name Sal is perceived as friendly and approachable, often associated with warmth and hospitality.
Famous People
Salman Rushdie, Salma Hayek, Salvador Dalí
Explore More Sal Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Sal"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Sal"
"Sal" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1502nd of 7545 | 384 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 986th of 6773 | 786 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 935th of 7552 | 1,204 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1355th of 10718 | 636 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2729th of 16616 | 357 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6547th of 24088 | 175 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 8169th of 23106 | 108 |
Regional Popularity of "Sal" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
34.16% 471st/1379 |
- |
76.36% 872nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
23.84% 371st/1556 |
- |
40.40% 625th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
61.56% 1371st/2227 |
19.09% 464th/2430 |
66.14% 1887th/2853 |
24.14% 670th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
22.39% 780th/3483 |
- |
21.64% 875th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
45.65% 2043rd/4475 |
55.60% 2888th/5194 |
21.62% 1366th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
34.95% 2608th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
83.98% 3768th/4487 |
- |
75.38% 4731st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Sal" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Sal"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Sal" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.