UK boy's name
Slater
One who tiles or slates roofs.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Slater is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Slater popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3959, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 5 births.
This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 1998 to 2018. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 13 living people in the UK are called Slater. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Slater ranked #3959 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 5 boys were registered as Slater.
- • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Slater as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3959
2018
Births in 2018
4
Latest year
Peak year
1998
5 births
Estimated living
13
2026
Meaning
What does Slater mean?
The given name Slater has its origins in the Old English language, stemming from the word "slat," which referred to a thin wooden strip or roof shingle. The name likely emerged during the Middle Ages in England, where it initially denoted an occupation or trade related to the production or installation of roof slates or shingles.
In its earliest form, the name was likely spelled as "Slatter" or "Slater," reflecting the linguistic evolution of the English language over time. The name's occupational roots suggest that it may have been adopted by individuals who worked as roofers, tilers, or in related trades involving the use of slates or shingles.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Slater can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population records compiled in 1086 under the orders of William the Conqueror. This historical document mentions individuals bearing the surname "Slater" in various parts of England.
Throughout history, the name Slater has been borne by several notable individuals, including John Slater (1776-1837), an English writer and poet. Another prominent figure was Samuel Slater (1768-1835), known as the "Father of the American Industrial Revolution" for his role in establishing the first successful cotton mill in the United States.
In the realm of science, John Clarke Slater (1900-1976) was a renowned American physicist and chemist who made significant contributions to the field of quantum mechanics. James Slater (1717-1805), an English engraver and writer, is also worth mentioning for his work on the first illustrated edition of Laurence Sterne's novel "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman."
Additionally, the name Slater has been associated with the arts, as evidenced by the American actor Christian Slater (born 1969), known for his roles in films such as "Heathers" and "True Romance."
While the name Slater may have originated as an occupational title, it has evolved over time to become a given name in its own right, transcending its initial vocational associations and gaining a broader cultural significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Slater over time
The chart below shows babies named Slater registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Slater, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2018, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Slater by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Slater was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3959 | 4 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2250 | 9 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Slater
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Slater: questions and answers
How popular is the name Slater in the UK right now?
In 2018, Slater was ranked #3959 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Slater most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 5 babies registered as Slater in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Slater?
One who tiles or slates roofs.
How many people are called Slater in the UK?
A total of 13 babies have been registered as Slater across the 3 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.