Baylor Unisex

Popularity: #363 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BAY-lor //ˈbeɪlər//

Origin: English; French

Meaning: English: one who delivers; French: a person who lives near a river

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Baylor has its roots in the Old French word "baillour," which means "to deliver" or "to govern." This term was derived from the Latin "bajulus," meaning "carrier" or "one who carries." The name made its way into English during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Old French terms were adopted into the English language. As a surname, Baylor was historically used to denote someone who held a position of authority or responsibility, particularly in relation to governance or stewardship.

In terms of historical milestones, the name Baylor can be traced back to various notable figures and families in England. One significant point of reference is the Baylor family in the 16th century, who were landowners and influential in their local communities.

The name has also been associated with various institutions, such as Baylor University, founded in 1845 in Texas, which contributed to the name's recognition in American culture. The university was named after Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor, a prominent figure in the early Texas Republic, further embedding the name in the historical narrative of the region.

Culturally, the name Baylor carries connotations of leadership and responsibility, reflecting its etymological roots. It has been embraced in various contexts, including academia and athletics, often symbolizing strength and integrity.

The name's association with educational institutions has helped to maintain its relevance over the centuries. Additionally, diminutive forms or variations of the name, while not as commonly referenced, may include "Bay" or "Baye," which can evoke a sense of familiarity and affection.

Overall, Baylor's historical and cultural significance is rooted in its linguistic origins and the notable figures who have borne the name.

Famous people named Baylor

In this section, you will find notable people named Baylor. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Baylor who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Baylor who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Baylor Wilson is a singer-songwriter best known for her singles and performances in country music.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Baylor, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

TaylorCarterHunterParkerSawyerMason

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Baylor. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

BraydenKaylorJaylorZaylor

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Baylor was first seen in the United States in 1918.

Baylor has ranked as high as #537 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and Georgia.

In the past 5 years the name Baylor has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Baylor is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Baylor was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Baylor.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,229 822 407
2024 1,253 905 348
2023 1,189 815 374
2022 1,161 816 345
2021 1,063 761 302
2020 892 648 244
2019 676 474 202
2018 537 352 185
2017 483 310 173
2016 550 341 209
2015 495 280 215
2014 344 218 126
2013 264 183 81
2012 278 195 83
2011 193 143 50
2010 197 161 36
2009 189 138 51
2008 174 140 34
2007 162 130 32
2006 140 115 25
2005 138 114 24
2004 140 118 22
2003 161 127 34
2002 108 90 18
2001 99 82 17
2000 126 108 18
1999 91 75 16
1998 79 64 15
1997 65 53 12
1996 64 54 10
1995 47 39 8
1994 32 27 5
1993 26 26 0
1992 15 15 0
1991 11 11 0
1990 6 6 0
1989 7 7 0
1988 5 5 0
1986 6 6 0
1985 5 5 0
1946 5 5 0
1924 6 6 0
1922 9 9 0
1921 6 6 0
1918 5 5 0

Top States for Baylor (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
AL 90
8%
TX 82
7%
TN 67
6%
GA 64
5%
MO 59
5%
LA 58
5%
OH 57
5%
MS 47
4%
IN 47
4%
NC 46
4%
NE 44
4%
OK 40
3%
FL 39
3%
VA 38
3%
IA 37
3%
KY 37
3%
IL 35
3%
UT 35
3%
AR 31
3%
WI 28
2%
KS 28
2%
MI 25
2%
SC 24
2%
MN 23
2%
WA 20
2%
CA 18
2%
WV 16
1%
SD 15
1%
PA 12
1%
NY 10
1%
AZ 9
1%
CO 7
1%
OR 6
1%
ID 6
1%