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Skyler

♂ Boy

Pronounced SKY-ler /ˈskaɪ.lɚ/High

Meaning: Scholar or student; an Americanized spelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, meaning scholar or student, from the Dutch schole meaning schoolHigh

In 30 seconds: Skyler is the Americanized form of the Dutch Schuyler meaning scholar, a two-syllable name with the sky built into its spelling, used for both boys and girls with modern pop-culture resonance from Breaking Bad.
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Origin HighDutch
MeaningScholar or student; an Americanized spelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, meaning scholar or student, from the Dutch schole meaning school
U.S. rank (2025)#783 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births325 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2002
Total births (all-time)≈ 41,834

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200219542025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Skyler is an Americanized spelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, derived from the Dutch schole (school) and meaning scholar or student. The Schuyler family were wealthy Dutch patrons in New York from the 17th century. The spelling Skyler was adopted to reflect the Dutch pronunciation and to integrate the appealing sky imagery.

Skyler became a popular given name in the United States in the 1990s and 2000s, used for both boys and girls. It gained significant cultural visibility through the character Skyler White in Breaking Bad (2008-2013) for girls, while remaining popular for boys. It represents the sky-themed name trend alongside Skye and Sky.

Did you know? The Schuyler family was one of the most prominent Dutch-American dynasties in colonial New York. Alexander Hamilton's wife Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, the subject of the musical Hamilton, is perhaps the most famous modern bearer, ensuring Schuyler and Skyler remain culturally vivid.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name — Skyler — Dutch etymology and American usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

SchuylerSkylarSkiler

Nicknames

Sky

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Skyler…

Tyler— same two-syllable -er ending occupational surname name popular in the same era
Ryker— shares the modern two-syllable -er boys name energy
Tucker— fellow two-syllable -er occupational surname name
Hunter— same two-syllable -er surname-name from the same American naming generation

Frequently Asked

What does the name Skyler mean?

Skyler means scholar or student, from the Dutch Schuyler, itself from the Dutch schole meaning school.

How do you pronounce Skyler?

It is said SKY-ler, two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Skyler a boy or girl name?

Skyler is used for both boys and girls in the United States, though the Skylar spelling leans more feminine.

Is Skyler a popular name?

Skyler has been a top-200 name in the U.S. for both boys and girls at various points in the 1990s and 2000s.