Slate
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous, metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade, regional metamorphism. It is the finest-grained foliated metamorphic rock. Foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering, but instead is in planes perpendicular to the direction of metamorphic compression.
Meaning & Origin of Slate
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous, metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade, regional metamorphism. It is the finest-grained foliated metamorphic rock. Foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering, but instead is in planes perpendicular to the direction of metamorphic compression.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
The Story of Slate
The earliest SSA record of Slate as a baby boy name dates back to 1990, when 5 babies received it. 2018 was its biggest year on record, with 56 newborns named Slate — #2,354 in the national rankings. About 42% of every Slate on record arrived during the 2010s, its defining decade. As of 2026, Slate ranks #3,207 for baby boys with 38 births, gradually falling (-14%). All told, over 892 Americans have carried the name since 1880, from the 1990s to the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Names that sound like Slate
Phonetically similar names — useful when Slate is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
- Slut
- Slit
- Slight
- Slot
- Sleet
- Slayed
- Sleight
- Slade
- Slat
- Sloot
- Slet
- Sloat
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Slate
What does the name Slate mean?
How popular is Slate in 2026?
When was Slate most popular?
In which U.S. states is Slate most popular?
Is Slate a unisex name?
What names go well with Slate?
About the name Slate
Slate is a boy baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1990 and has accumulated 892 births in the dataset. Slate's peak popularity came in 2018 when it ranked #2,354. Use the chart and map above to compare Slate's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 2018 →
- Names of the 2010s →
- Names starting with "S" →
- Browse all boy names →
- Top names of 2026 →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.