Meaning & History
Shelomit is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin, found in the Hebrew Bible as the Biblical Hebrew form of Shelomith.
Etymology
The name derives from the Hebrew root שָׁלוֹם (shalom), meaning "peace," and thus Shelomit signifies "peaceful." It is the feminine form of the name Shelomo (Solomon), which is also related to the same root.
Biblical Context
In the Hebrew Bible, Shelomit (or Shelomith) appears as the name of several minor figures, both female and male. One notable is Shelomith bat Dibri, mentioned in the Book of Leviticus (24:11) as the mother of a blasphemer. Other bearers include a daughter of Zerubbabel (1 Chronicles 3:19) and a son of Izhar (Exodus 6:21).
Cultural Significance
The name is closely associated with the Hebrew word shalom, a foundational concept in Judaism symbolizing peace, wholeness, and well-being. Related names across languages reflect the widespread influence of this root: for instance, Salam in Arabic, Shulamit, and even the Indonesian Selawati derive from similar meanings.
Notable bearers of the modern Hebrew name Shlomit (a variant) include Israeli singer Shlomit Aharon, fashion model Shlomit Malka, and politician Shlomit Barnea. The name also appears in the Greek New Testament as Salome, a form of Shelomit.
Distribution and Variants
The original Hebrew name Shelomit is not common today, but its variants like Shulamit and Shelomith are used in Israel and among Jewish communities. Related forms include Shalom (masculine given name in Hebrew), the Amharic Selamawit, and the Turkish Süleyman (masculine form of Solomon). The name's gender usage varies: original biblical figures maintained unique name identities; however masculine citations exist such as Isaiah Shelomit referenced in associated lineage.
However certain distant relative masculine forms share linguistic roots
- Meaning: "peaceful" from Hebrew shalom
- Origin: Hebrew (Biblical Hebrew form)
- Gender: Feminine (also appears as masculine in the Bible)
- Usage regions: Hebrew Bible; modern in Israel, diasporic Jewish cultures
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Shlomit (given name)