Zulema is a Spanish name of Arabic origin, from Sulaima or Salima, a feminine form of the root s-l-m that means "peace" or "peaceful"; it is a cousin of Salma and Sulayman and has been used in Spain since Moorish times. Today it is most popular in Mexico and Argentina. In the United States Zulema stood at number 2,235 in 2000, peaked at number 1,909 in 2021 and ranks number 2,718 in 2025, with 64 births.