Boy · #3,207 in 2026

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.

Current Rank
#3,207
Peak Rank
#2,354 (2018)
Total Babies
892
5-Yr Trend
-14%
1990
First Year
2026
Last Year
2018
Peak Year
#2354
Peak Rank
892
Total Count
35
Years Active

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

Slate first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a baby boy name in 1990, with 5 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 2018, when 56 Slates were born — ranking #2,354 that year. As of 2026, Slate ranks #3,207 for baby boys with 38 births, gradually falling (-14%). In total, more than 892 Slates have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1990s through the 2020s.

Popularity Over Time

Popularity by State

ME
WA
MT
ND
MN
WI
MI
NY
VT
NH
MA
OR
ID
SD
IA
IL
IN
OH
PA
NJ
CT
RI
CA
NV
WY
NE
MO
KY
WV
VA
MD
DE
DC
UT
CO
KS
AR
TN
NC
SC
AK
AZ
NM
OK
LA
MS
AL
GA
HI
TX
FL
Top 10
11-50
51-100
101-500
500+
No data

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?
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.
How popular is Slate in 2026?
In 2026, Slate ranks #3,207 among boys' names in the U.S., with 38 babies given the name that year.
When was Slate most popular?
Slate reached its peak popularity in 2018, ranking #2,354 that year with 56 babies given the name.
In which U.S. states is Slate most popular?
Slate has historically been most popular in Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia. Rankings vary year to year, but these states show the strongest concentration of births named Slate.
Is Slate a unisex name?
In U.S. Social Security records, Slate is primarily a boy's name. We don't have meaningful data for it as a girl's name.
What names go well with Slate?
Names that share a similar style or popularity range with Slate include Luqman, Yeison, Nessiah. These pairings are based on rank proximity and naming era in U.S. data.

Similar Names

👦
Luqman
Peak #2354
👦
Yeison
Peak #2354
👦
Nessiah
Peak #2354
👦
Qasim
Peak #2353
👦
Arney
Peak #2356
👦
Alfonsa
Peak #2356
👦
Rondle
Peak #2356
👦
Rooney
Peak #2352

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

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.