I have been absolutely in love with this name since I first saw it on nameberry. I love the 5 letters, the 2 syllables, I [name]LOVE[/name] the way it sounds, and I love the meaning: “peace”. I know a lot of people dislike this name because of the associations with the [name]Salem[/name] Witch Trials and with the cat. But I actually like these associations!! I love how they give the name a kind of Halloween feel, like [name]Sabrina[/name] or Lector. So with all of that said, here’s the big question: Is it usable? If not, WHY? Would you be totally repulsed if you met a little [name]Salem[/name]? 
It would be for a boy, by the way.
It is usable. I have seen a few little girls named [name]Salem[/name]. It isn’t even that strange, really.
You like the associations with the [name]Salem[/name] Witch Hunts? Is it cool to burn mostly innocent human beings for no reason? You know it was mostly women that were used for scapegoats, don’t you? I think you need to do more research.
I mean, I would sort of argue it isn’t useable, but for reasons you’re fine with, in which case I guess you could make the call that it’s useable in your book, even if not in mine! While I think the association with [name]Sabrina[/name]'s cat will eventually fade (though it is one of the first things I think parents might think of), the panic, horror, misogyny and religious freakout, and cruelty of that remembered period of history won’t fade. Having spent a fair bit of time in NC, that Puritan association is lifted a little by the quaint town of [name]Salem[/name] down there. I see how the name looks and sounds nice. Perhaps it might make a useable, Halloweeny middle, but I wouldn’t personally put it up front.
I think it’s completely usable. I live about halfway between two awesome towns named [name]Salem[/name] (Yes, one of which is Mass) and would love to be associated with either. I also agree that it has an amazing sound and feel. I would use it in a second if it sounded right with my favorite names.
I’ve never met a boy named [name]Salem[/name], but have met one girl.
I think if you don’t mind the associations, and instead of associating it with cruelty you go with the Halloweeny-ness, it’s fine. I wouldn’t do it, but I can’t un-associate with the awfulness.
I love [name]Salem[/name] but for a girl.
I’ve run into two children named [name]Salem[/name] in my years of substitute teaching. [name]One[/name] boy, one girl. The girl didn’t have a nickname, but the boy occasionally went by [name]Lem[/name], and it was elaborated into Lemony by several students (keep in mind they had been reading the books and the movie was at its high point then). I thought it was sweet.
I have two associations. I grew up near [name]Salem[/name], Oregon, so I think of the city and that’s a fairly neutral association. I also think of the [name]Stephen[/name] [name]King[/name] book '[name]Salem[/name]'s Lot (though in the book the word is short for Jerusalem.) That definitely fits in with your creepy theme! I guess my main question when I meet people with “place names” is what the relationship they (or their parents) have to the place. It seems like there should be one… but that’s just me! And for the record, I would never think of the cat in [name]Sabrina[/name]… but that was a little after my time. 
Thank you all!
and to mischa, I know it was a terrible time, but that doesn’t take away my love for the name. It’s not like I’m naming him [name]Adolf[/name] or something. lol
I think [name]Salem[/name] is definitely usable. There are many other associations for the name than just the witch trials and I think it’s important to recognize and yet move past historical events. [name]Salem[/name] is handsome and I can absolutely see it on a little boy. I’ve always been attracted to the name and I agree it has a great feeling and is very pleasant to say aloud which is always good when you plan on saying it all the time!
Witch burnings [name]Salem[/name] is an awful name I hate it so many bad associations
I love [name]Salem[/name]. It’s a biblical place name. It sounds more suitable for a boy [name]IMO[/name]
I’m someone introduced their child to me as [name]Salem[/name] I’d immediately think, “like the witch trials?” It’s too strong of an association for me.
Too negative of an association and too strong of one too… At most in the middle…
I like the name [name]Salem[/name] very much. I don’t however like the association with the Witch Hunts at all. It’s unfortunate that such a cool name is intertwined with such evil and mass hysteria. I’ve wanted to use it for a cat, but then decide against it, as I would probably always be reminded of the Witch Hunts. Now, all that aside, I really do like the name, and if I met someone by the name of [name]Salem[/name], I would think it a really neat name! I prefer it for a boy even though people have been using for girls.
My first association isn’t with the witch trials at all, but that’s probably because I actually work for a city by this name! While I love the name itself, I couldn’t use it because I live here. It would be like naming your child [name]London[/name] when you live in [name]London[/name] and work for the city of [name]London[/name]…way too closely associated.
The name it self is a cool name, but my mind definitely went to the trials and The Crucible. It would be a definite deal-breaker for me, but if you like the name and won’t mind the possible association I think it could be usable. If I met a child with this name I don’t think I would be put off or offended, but it’s nms.