Here's why:

* Nitric acid has the chemical formula HNO₃.

* When nitric acid reacts with a base or metal, it loses its hydrogen ion (H⁺) and forms the nitrate ion (NO₃⁻).

* Salts are formed by the combination of a cation (positive ion) and an anion (negative ion).

* Since the anion in nitric acid salts is the nitrate ion (NO₃⁻), they are named nitrates.

For example:

* Sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) is formed by the reaction of nitric acid with sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

* Potassium nitrate (KNO₃) is formed by the reaction of nitric acid with potassium hydroxide (KOH).

* Silver nitrate (AgNO₃) is formed by the reaction of nitric acid with silver (Ag).