[family] Saliba (also spelled Saleeby, Saleeba or Salibi) is a predominantly Christian family name used in Malta. The family name is derived from the Syriac ܨܠܝܒܐ ṣalībā, which cognates with saleeb an Arabic word for cross, a reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The family names Saleeby and Saliba have been in use by this ...