Salote
A girl's name of Polynesian origin with 57 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Salote reads as a modern invention — a name that emerged in the 1980s and was likely coined by parents looking for something fresh rather than inherited.
The open, approachable quality of its ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
Salote is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Salote is a girl's baby name of Polynesian origin, the Tongan form of Charlotte, derived from the French feminine form of Charles meaning 'free woman.' Queen Salote Tupou III of Tonga was one of the 20th century's most beloved Pacific monarchs, reigning for 47 years and winning international hearts at the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Salote carries the warm, regal heritage of a beloved Pacific queen — Charlotte translated into Tongan, carrying royalty across the Pacific in a name that is both distinctive and deeply meaningful.
EtymologyShow more
Salote appeared in SSA records in 1985, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Polynesian roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 57 recorded births, Salote has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Salote has 10+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1985.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 19 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 22 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 11 | — |
The Story of Salote
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2011, Salote is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Salote are most likely born between 2001 and 2014.
How rare is Salote?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Salote is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1985, peaked in the 2000s with 22 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Salote by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(10 years, 1985–2014)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 | #14304 |
| 2013 | 5 | #18793 |
| 2011 | 7 | #14571 |
| 2006 | 5 | #19490 |
| 2004 | 6 | #15707 |
| 2002 | 5 | #17589 |
| 2001 | 6 | #14967 |
| 1995 | 5 | #15268 |
| 1988 | 6 | #11443 |
| 1985 | 5 | #12067 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When was Salote most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1985–2014