Saliha

Saliha is a feminine given name of Arabic origin, the feminine form of Salih. The name is used in Arabic, Kyrgyz, and Turkish cultures.

Etymology

The root name Salih derives from Arabic ṣalaḥa, meaning "to be good, to be proper," and the name itself signifies "virtuous." In Islamic tradition, Salih is revered as a prophet sent to the people of Thamud, as mentioned in the Quran. The feminine form Saliha carries the same virtuous connotation.

Historical and Cultural Context

Saliha has been a popular name in the Ottoman Empire and modern Turkey, given to girls as a prayer for moral excellence. Among Kyrgyz Muslims, the name is embraced for its religious significance. The related variant Salha is also found in Arabic-speaking regions. Masculine forms include Saleh in Arabic and Salih in Turkish; the Uzbek variant Soliha shows the name's spread across Central Asia.

Note: The village Saliha (also transliterated Salha) in the Upper Galilee does not appear to be the direct origin of the given name, though it shares the same triliteral root. The name predates the village as a place name.

Notable Bearers

• Saliha Sultan (d. 1739), Ottoman princess, daughter of Sultan Ahmed II
• Saliha Naciye Kadın (c. 1841–1904), consort of Sultan Abdulaziz

The name remains in use across the Islamic world with common regional pronunciations such as Salaha or Salye in dialectical Arabic.

• Meaning: virtuous
• Origin: Arabic
• Type: feminine form of Salih
• Regions: Arabic, Turkey, Kyrgyz, Uzbekistan