Surname Salihi - Meaning and Origin
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Salihi: What does the surname Salihi mean?
The last name Salihi is of Arabic origin and is derived from the Arabic word salih, which means “virtuous” or “good”. It can also mean “piety” or “righteousness”. The Salihi surname is believed to have been carried by a family of religious figures of great esteem and honor.
The Salihi last name is commonly found amongst Islamic and Arab communities, thus providing a different type of cultural heritage to each name bearer. People who carry the Salihi last name are known to be knowledgeable within their religion and particularly devoted towards Islam and its principles. They are said to be very conscientious about living according to Islamic teachings and have a strong respect for the five pillars of faith.
The Salihi surname can also be found amongst the Muslim minority in India and Pakistan, and bearers of this name symbolize strength, honor and loyalty. The Salihi people’s commitment to their faith and their sense of justice is remarkable in the communities to which they belong. It is common for the Salihi family to include members who are religious leaders and scholars, or have high-ranking positions in government institutions.
The Salihi family has been around for many centuries and has grown roots in various parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. Having the Salihi surname carries with it a strong cultural identity, and people who have the Salihi last name are proud to be part of this noble family.
Order DNA origin analysisSalihi: Where does the name Salihi come from?
The last name Salihi is most commonly found in the Middle East and North Africa. It is largely concentrated in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Libya, but can be found in numerous other countries with sizeable Muslim populations, including Oman, Syria, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Yemen.
The origin of the name can be traced back to pre-Islamic Arab times when it was used as an honorific. Traditionally, it was given to respected tribal, religious, and political leaders and after conversion to Islam has become a popular family name throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
While it doesn't appear to be found in large numbers in North America, members of the Salihi family have been living in the US and Canada for more than a century. There have been numerous high profile members of the Salihi family, including Rula Salah Al-Humaidi, who was one of the first female ministers in the United Arab Emirates government.
The Salihi family is likely to continue to spread around the world as the Middle Eastern and North African diaspora continually grows, and with each subsequent generation more members of the family are able to explore opportunities abroad.
Variations of the surname Salihi
The surname Salihi originates from an Arabic root, صالحي, meaning “good” or “righteous”. This surname can be spelled in a number of ways, including Salhi, Salih, Salehi, Saleh, Saalehi, Saalihi, Saahli, Saali, Sahlihi, Salheh, Salaih, Selhi and Salehe.
Variants of the name can be found around the world, with many different spellings of the name present in Arabic-speaking countries such as Yemen, Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, as well as Turkey, Lebanon and the UAE. In addition to Salihi, common surnames derived from the same Arabic root include Saleh, Saad, Sahib, Salman, Saeed, Saif, Salama, Salim, Salha and Saada.
In the non-Arabic speaking world, variants of the name Salihi include Salhi, Saleh, Saalehi, Salhiy, Saheli, Salhia, Salhiya, Selhey, Selhi, Salia and Saalihi. Indian variants such as Selhi and Salia are also present, indicating a spread of the surname beyond the Middle East.
The form of the name can also varied based on the given gender, with some spellings being more often associated with women (Saalihi and Salehe) and others typically representing males (Salhi and Sahlihi). The usage of a given variant of the name often varies by country as well, with some spellings being used more often in certain regions. Overall, however, Salihi is one of the most common surnames in the Middle East and is used to denote members of a single extended family.
Famous people with the name Salihi
- Hamdi Salihi: Albanian footballer who plays as a striker for the Rapids, a club in Colorado.
- Bajram Salihi: prominent Albanian rapper known under the stage name Baja.
- Amir Salihi: prominent Albanian footballer who plays as a defender for Victoria Hotspurs in Malta.
- Armend Salihi: prominent Albanian actor and director.
- Shpetim Salihi: prominent Albanian businessman and politician.
- Abdulrahman Salihi: prominent Yemeni politician who served as Prime Minister from 2006 to 2011.
- Vijon Salihi: prominent Albanian journalist and writer.
- Rashad Salihi: prominent Bahraini footballer who plays for the Bahraini National Team and Al-Hidd SC.
- Abbas Salihi: prominent Bahraini footballer who plays for Al-Ahli SC.
- Bashir Salihi: prominent Iraqi footballer who played for the Iraqi National Team and Karbala FC.