Zalmen is of Hebrew origin, derived from the word 'Shalom,' meaning peace. It is a variant spelling of the name Shimon, which was borne by one of the twelve apostles in the New Testament. In Jewish tradition, Zalmen has been used as both a given name and a surname for centuries. Notable individuals with this name include Zalmen Grzebyk, a Polish poet, and Zalmen Reisen, a Yiddish writer. The name Zalmen is often associated with the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe.
The name Zalmen experienced fluctuating popularity over the years, with a notable spike in recent times.