Meaning
The meaning of Solomon
Solomon is connected with the Hebrew word shalom, often translated peace. The meaning fits the royal hope attached to David's line, though Solomon's biblical story includes both wisdom and later compromise.
Biblical story
Solomon the wise king
Solomon is the son of David and Bathsheba who becomes king after David. He is especially remembered for asking God for wisdom and for building the temple in Jerusalem.
His story is not one-dimensional. Solomon represents wisdom, peace, wealth, worship, and royal glory, but also the dangers of divided loyalty.
Christian reading
Peace, wisdom, and complexity
For Christians, Solomon can suggest wisdom and the longing for peace. The books associated with wisdom tradition also shape how the name is heard.
At the same time, the biblical story warns that wisdom and blessing can be misused. That makes Solomon a rich name, not a simplistic one.
Sound
How to pronounce Solomon
- Phonetic
- SAH-luh-mun
- IPA
- /ˈsɒləmən/
3 syllables · stress: SAH-luh-mun · ends in a consonant
Forms
Variants and nicknames
Alternate spellings
- Shlomo
- Salomon
- Sulayman
- Salomão
- Salomone
Short forms and nicknames
- Sol
- Solly
Languages
Solomon in other languages
- Hebrew
- שְׁלֹמֹהShlomo
- Greek
- ΣολομώνSolomōn
- Latin
- Salomon
- Spanish
- Salomón
- French
- Salomon
- German
- Salomo
- Italian
- Salomone
- Russian
- СоломонSolomon
- Arabic
- سُلَيْمَانSulayman
Christian background
Christian and biblical background
Solomon matters in Christian reading because of wisdom tradition, temple imagery, and the royal line connected with David. The name carries peace and wisdom, but also a sober warning about faithfulness.
Scripture
The biblical figure
Solomon is David's son, king of Israel, builder of the temple, and a figure associated with wisdom and later compromise.
Bearers
Notable people named Solomon
biblical
SolomonSon of David and Bathsheba, third king of Israel, builder of the First Temple, traditionally credited with Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songshistorical
Solomon NorthupAfrican American free man kidnapped and enslaved for twelve years, author of the 1853 memoir Twelve Years a Slave, 1808 to around 1864historical
Solomon LefschetzRussian-American mathematician who founded algebraic topology at Princeton, 1884 to 1972historical
Solomon AschPolish-American social psychologist known for the Asch conformity experiments, 1907 to 1996historical
Solomon BurkeAmerican singer who helped define 1960s soul music, 1940 to 2010
Naming history
Naming tradition and history
Solomon has long been used in Jewish and Christian communities. In English it feels serious, old, and substantial, with Sol as a shorter form.
Recent US use
Solomon in recent US use
- Rank in 2025
- #422
- Peak rank
- #198 in 1880
- Recent trend
- stable over the last 5 years
- Years in the SSA records
- 146 (since 1880)
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.
Sibling fit
Sibling name suggestions
For families
For families looking at Solomon
For a Christian family, Solomon may suit parents who want a name connected with wisdom, peace, and biblical depth. It is stronger for families comfortable with complex stories.
Common questions
What does Solomon mean?
Solomon is connected with peace and the Hebrew word shalom.
Is Solomon a biblical name?
Yes. Solomon is the son of David and king of Israel.
Why is Solomon associated with wisdom?
In 1 Kings, Solomon asks God for wisdom, and his reign becomes strongly associated with wise judgment.
Sources
Sources for Solomon
- A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, Brown, Driver, and BriggsSupports: Hebrew etymology; meaning connected with peace (shalom).
- The First Book of Kings, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: biblical figure, David's son and king of Israel (1 Kings 3:12).
Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.
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