Skylar Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SKY-lar //ˈskaɪ.lər//
Origin: English; Dutch
Meaning: English: scholar; Dutch: shelter
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Skylar has its roots in the Dutch surname Schuyler, which means "scholar" or "scholarly". The surname was derived from the Middle Dutch word "schuyl", meaning "to shelter" or "to protect", and was used to denote a person who was a scholar or had a scholarly disposition.
The name made its way into English through the Dutch settlers in America during the 17th century, particularly in New York, which was originally a Dutch colony known as New Amsterdam. Over time, the surname evolved into the given name Skylar, particularly gaining traction as a feminine name in the 20th century.
Historically, the name Schuyler was borne by notable figures, such as Philip Schuyler, a general in the American Revolutionary War and a prominent politician in New York during the 18th century. The Schuyler family was influential in early American history, and their legacy contributed to the name's recognition.
Additionally, the name's association with education and intellect through its etymological roots has made it appealing in various cultural contexts. Culturally, the name Skylar evokes imagery of the sky, which can symbolize freedom, aspiration, and vastness.
This connection to the natural world may enhance its resonance as a name associated with positive attributes. The name has also seen variations and diminutives, such as Sky, which further enrich its usage in different contexts.
Overall, Skylar's journey from a Dutch surname to a contemporary given name reflects a blend of linguistic evolution and cultural significance.
Famous people named Skylar
In this section, you will find notable people named Skylar. 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 Skylar who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Skylar 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.
Skylar Astin is an actor and singer best known for Pitch Perfect, Pitch Perfect 2, and Spring Awakening.
Skylar Grey is a singer-songwriter best known for her work on Love the Way You Lie, Coming Home, and I Will Return.
Skylar Laine is a singer best known for her participation in American Idol Season 11.
Fictional characters named Skylar
The following list of fictional characters named Skylar is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Skylar is a fictional character from the TV series Breaking Bad. They are a key character who navigates the moral complexities of her husband's criminal activities.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Skylar, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Skylar. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Skylar was first seen in the United States in 1974.
Skylar has ranked as high as #117 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Florida, New York, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Skylar has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Skylar 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 Skylar was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Skylar (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 207 | |
| CA | 156 | |
| FL | 153 | |
| NY | 139 | |
| GA | 116 | |
| NC | 114 | |
| PA | 87 | |
| IL | 86 | |
| VA | 70 | |
| OH | 66 | |
| NJ | 58 | |
| TN | 57 | |
| MD | 56 | |
| MA | 52 | |
| AL | 51 |
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 Skylar.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,186 |
| 2023 | 2,537 |
| 2022 | 2,892 |
| 2021 | 3,346 |
| 2020 | 3,640 |
| 2019 | 4,049 |
| 2018 | 4,407 |
| 2017 | 4,736 |
| 2016 | 5,134 |
| 2015 | 5,294 |
| 2014 | 4,778 |
| 2013 | 3,789 |
| 2012 | 3,348 |
| 2011 | 2,161 |
| 2010 | 1,723 |
| 2009 | 1,774 |
| 2008 | 1,750 |
| 2007 | 2,060 |
| 2006 | 2,352 |
| 2005 | 2,241 |
| 2004 | 2,176 |
| 2003 | 2,305 |
| 2002 | 2,391 |
| 2001 | 2,344 |
| 2000 | 2,503 |
| 1999 | 2,513 |
| 1998 | 1,731 |
| 1997 | 953 |
| 1996 | 855 |
| 1995 | 685 |
| 1994 | 621 |
| 1993 | 547 |
| 1992 | 413 |
| 1991 | 364 |
| 1990 | 419 |
| 1989 | 127 |
| 1988 | 116 |
| 1987 | 106 |
| 1986 | 61 |
| 1985 | 29 |
| 1984 | 20 |
| 1983 | 14 |
| 1982 | 14 |
| 1981 | 15 |
| 1980 | 11 |
| 1979 | 13 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1977 | 11 |
| 1976 | 10 |
| 1975 | 8 |
| 1974 | 6 |