Surname Selimi - Meaning and Origin

Selimi: What does the surname Selimi mean?

Selimi is an Albanian surname of Turkish origin. It is found mainly in the southeastern part of the Balkan region. The name is believed to derive from the old Turkish term ‘selim’, meaning ‘calm’ or ‘peaceful’. As such, it was likely taken on by Albanian families during the Ottoman Empire as a reminder of values such as discretion, friendly diplomacy, and peaceful coexistence.

The Selimi name is shared by several prominent personalities such as the Member of Parliament for Prishtina, Kosovo Ardian Selimi; the Albanian football player Grimandi Selimi; and the Municipality of Bujanovac Mayor Mirsad Selimi.

Within Albanian culture, the last name ‘Selimi’ and its variations (Selimaj, Selimovic, etc) all convey a sense of peace, harmony, and respect. It is also a religious name, as Muhammad is also known as 'Selim the Beneficent'. In some areas of the Balkans, this surname is associated with the legacy of Ottoman military presence.

In many cultures across the world, peace, tranquillity, and tolerance are prized above all else, and the Selimi name is a reminder of these values. Through its prevalence in Albania and the wider Balkan region, it reflects an enduring connection to the Turkish roots of the past and a commitment to pluralism, unity, and understanding.

Selimi: Where does the name Selimi come from?

The last name Selimi is most commonly found in the western Balkans, such as Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia. It is also not uncommon to find people with this last name in the Middle East, particularly in Turkey and Syria.

The Selimi surname is associated with various types of people, ranging from military leaders, politicians and entrepreneurs to sports personalities, musicians and singers. As with many other last names, its origin is linked to a distinct geographical region, as many of its users are descended from tribal groups that once roamed the western Balkans.

The meaning of the Selimi surname is usually associated with the word “Selim”, which is derived from the Ottoman Turkish language and translates to “exalted”. This often suggests that the Selimi family name is associated with achievement and nobility.

The Selimi family name may have come to prominence in particular regions as a result of military and political leaders with this last name, such as Ismail Pasha, an Ottoman grand vizier in the 19th century, and Mehdi Frasheri, an Albanian patriot and national hero hailing from present-day Yugoslavia.

Overall, the last name Selimi continues to be found all over the world, from larger cities to small towns. Despite its origins in the western Balkans, it appears that it is now common in many other locations, most notably in the Middle East.

Variations of the surname Selimi

The surname Selimi has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The primary spelling of the surname is Selimi. Other spellings of this surname include Selimij, Selimy, Selimiy and Selimiyev. There are also other surnames originating from the Selimi root, such as Salami, Selimicz, and Selimie.

The surname Selimi has its origins in the Ottoman Empire and is derived from the Arabic language. The name Selim is derived from the Arabic word salama which translates to “peace” in English. When this word was adopted into the Turkish language it became Selim or Selimiy.

The Selimi surname is most commonly found among Ottoman-Turkish, Albanian, Kosovar and Macedonian populations. This surname is found in other countries due to migration but is most prominent in Balkan countries.

The Selimi surname is associated with prominent figures throughout history such as Selim III, the tenth sultan of the Ottoman Empire, and Selim II, the sixth sultan of the Ottoman Empire. The first Selim was Selim I, most commonly referred to as Selim the Grim. He was the second Ottoman sultan and the founder of a dynasty that ruled the Ottoman Empire until 1922.

The surname Selimi is used worldwide to this day and continues to gain popularity and recognition. It is an important part of Ottoman culture and can be traced back to the beginning of the Ottoman Empire itself.

Famous people with the name Selimi

• Fjoralba Selimi: Fjoralba Selimi is an Albanian-American businesswoman, philanthropist, and activist whose efforts have been credited with positive changes in her home country of Albania. She currently serves as Chairwoman and founder of the Festival of Albanian Films and Music, as well as the Fjoralba Selimi Foundation.
• Adnan Selimi: Adnan Selimi is a Kosovar Albanian politician and a former Minister of Health, Labor and Social Welfare of Kosovo. Since 2017, he has been Kosovo’s ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Shefqet Selimi: Shefqet Selimi is an Albanian politician who is currently serving as the mayor of the town and municipality of Mitrovica in northern Kosovo.
• Senad Selimi: Senad Selimi is a Bosnian singer of Romani origin who rose to fame on the first season of X Factor Adria in 2018.
• Doruntina Selimi: Doruntina Selimi is a Kosovo singer and songwriter who is known for her unique vocal style and her undying commitment to bringing her country and its culture to the global stage.
• Selimi Xhani: Selimi Xhani was an Albanian painter and illustrator who is credited with bringing Islamic influence to Albanian visual arts in the mid 20th century. His work was featured in art galleries throughout Albania.
• Mirsad Selimi: Mirsad Selimi is a Bosnian writer, essayist, and commentator, best known for his novel The Slaughterhouse. He has also published numerous books of poetry, essays, and short stories.
• Florent Selimi: Florent Selimi is an Albanian-American entrepreneur and investor, best known as the co-founder of Fuund, Inc., a venture capital firm focused on investing in emerging technology companies.
• Drilon Selimi: Drilon Selimi is an Albanian-American business executive and entrepreneur who has raised more than $150 million in venture capital for companies that he has founded and co-founded over the past two decades.
• Amela Selimi: Amela Selimi is a Bosnian-Swiss social media influencer and lifestyle blogger whose growing audience has made her one of the most influential young entrepreneurs in Bosnia.

Other surnames

SelimSelimaj