The names of most polyatomic ions end with -ate or -ite. For example, the name of the polyatomic ion SO₄²⁻ is sulfate, and the name of the polyatomic ion NO₃⁻ is nitrate. Some other examples of polyatomic ions that end with -ate or -ite include:

- Carbonate (CO₃²⁻)

- Chlorate (ClO₃⁻)

- Chromate (CrO₄²⁻)

- Hydroxide (OH⁻)

- Phosphate (PO₄³⁻)

- Silicate (SiO₄⁴⁻)

- Sulfite (SO₃²⁻)

There are a few exceptions to this rule, such as the polyatomic ion ammonium (NH₄⁺), but most polyatomic ions do end with -ate or -ite.