Salter Name Meaning & Historical Trends

Salter

Pronunciation: SAWL-ter

Meaning Salt maker or salt merchant Gender Boy
BOYS RANK
#13,545
TREND
—

Rank shows the name’s position among U.S. baby names for each gender in 2025. Trend shows how many places it rose or fell since 2024. Rank 1 is the most popular. Based on U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) data. Peak and lowest years are based on the number of boys named Salter in the available records.

Fun Facts About the Name Salter

  • 5 babies named Salter: U.S. records list 5 babies given the name Salter from 1880 through 2025.

What Does the Name Salter Mean?

Salter is an English occupational name meaning "salt maker" or "salt merchant." It comes from Middle English salter(e), a form of Old English sealtere, which is derived from Latin salarius, "of salt," and ultimately from sal, "salt." The ending identifies a person who made or traded in salt, rather than a place or a personal quality.

When used as a first name, Salter is a transferred surname and has no separate given-name etymology. Its literal sense is tied to the salt trade; ideas sometimes associated with salt, such as preservation or value, are symbolic associations rather than part of the name's origin.

Salter Name History & Origins

Salter developed as an English surname from the occupation of salt making or salt selling. The Old English word sealtere and the Middle English salter(e) show the term in use before the modern spelling Salter became established. Because salt was needed for preserving meat and fish and for seasoning food, salt work was a recognizable trade, and a person known as a salter could be identified by that work.

Like other occupational surnames in England, Salter became hereditary over time, passing within families even when later generations did not follow the trade. Its use as a given name is a transferred-surname practice rather than a continuation of an old personal-name tradition; the first-name use keeps the surname's spelling and occupational meaning.

How Popular is the Name Salter?

Salter has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2025. Its best rank was #13,545 in 2025.

U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.

Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.

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How the Name Salter Shapes Your Personality and Life?

You are spiritually intense and can sting or charm. Your name brings love and new starts into life and attracts money. In business, you are the creator and promoter of original ideas and usually enjoy considerable financial success. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.

Creative and outgoing, you are always looking for an opportunity to show your abilities, especially before audience. You are very flexible and like to feel appreciated. You are looking for chances to mix with others socially and to communicate your ideas. You like to talk and can easily relate to different cultures and concepts. The biggest challenge for you is uncertainty. Easily getting bored, you can move from one job to another, switch projects and lovers. The high creative force can lead you either to happiness or unhappiness. If you understand your goals, if you can make major decisions in life and follow it directly and straight up without worry and uncertainty, you are able to achieve great heights.

✦ Salter's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Salter's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.
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