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Home › Baby Names Directory › Skylar

Skylar

♂ Boy

Pronounced SKY-luhr /ˈskaɪ.ləɹ/Medium

Meaning: Respelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, meaning 'scholar' or 'shelter'.Medium

In 30 seconds: Skylar is a respelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, which has been linked to the senses 'scholar' or 'shelter'.
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Origin MediumDutch, English
MeaningRespelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, meaning 'scholar' or 'shelter'.
U.S. rank (2025)#1537 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births113 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2000
Total births (all-time)≈ 18,271

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200019592025

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

The name traces to the Dutch surname Schuyler, carried to America by early settlers and connected with ideas of a scholar or a place of shelter. Over time the spelling was reshaped into the more phonetic Skylar, which also catches the sound of the word 'sky'. As a given name it sits firmly in American usage.

Its relatives show the journey clearly: Schuyler preserves the original Dutch spelling, while Skyler and Skyla are lighter respellings. The airy first syllable is a big part of its modern appeal.

Did you know? Skylar is a spelling variant of Skyler, so it keeps the same core meaning of 'origin uncertain' while changing the visual style.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Skylar — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

SchuylerSkylaSkyler

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Skylar Astin (1987-)
    American actor and singer known for the Pitch Perfect films

If you like Skylar…

Skyler— A listed variation, another phonetic spelling of the same name.
Skyla— A listed variation built on the same opening sound.
Kylar— a similarly popular pick
Cedar— shares Skylar's English roots
Lamar— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Skylar

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Skylar mean?

Skylar is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Skylar?

It's commonly said SKY-luhr /ˈskaɪ.ləɹ/.

Is Skylar a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Skylar is used as a boy name.

How popular is Skylar?

In 2024, Skylar ranked #1550 in the U.S. for boys, with 113 births recorded.

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