Saleh
Active participle of ṣalaḥa, 'to be sound, upright' — the righteous. Also the name of a prophet named in the Qur'an.
- Root
- ṣ-l-ḥ (ص-ل-ح)
- Gender
- Male
- Meaning
- Righteous, upright, sound
- Origin
- Arabic
Meaning and root
From ṣ-l-ḥ (ص-ل-ح), a root covering soundness, repair and setting right — the source of *ṣulḥ* ('reconciliation') and *iṣlāḥ* ('reform'). *Ṣāliḥ* is the one whose state is sound.
Attestation
Ṣāliḥ is named in the Qur'an as a prophet sent to Thamūd. The name is cited here for attestation, not etymology: the meaning comes from the root, and the name was in use among the Arabs independently.
Usage
Common throughout the Arab world.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Saleh mean?
Righteous or upright — from the root ṣ-l-ḥ, 'to be sound, to set right', the same root as ṣulḥ, 'reconciliation'.
Sources
- ابن منظور، لسان العرب، 711هـ — مادة: صلح
Last reviewed: 2026-07-27