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Sailor
Pronounced SAY-luhr /ˈseɪ.ləɹ/Medium
Meaning: Acrobat, dancerMedium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Sailor appears in English with the surprising recorded meaning 'acrobat, dancer', a sense that runs against the seafaring image the word usually brings to mind. That gap between the everyday word and the name's listed meaning makes it an unusual choice. It works as a word-name that carries a movement-related sense.
The familiar, breezy sound of the word gives the name an easy, modern appeal. No specific public bearer is listed for the boy's form here.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Sailor mean?
Sailor is usually explained as meaning 'acrobat, dancer' and is most often linked with English tradition.
How do you pronounce Sailor?
It's commonly said SAY-luhr /ˈseɪ.ləɹ/.
Is Sailor a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Sailor is used as a boy name.
How popular is Sailor?
In 2024, Sailor ranked #2731 in the U.S. for boys, with 48 births recorded.