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Home › Baby Names Directory › Skylar

Skylar

♀ Girl

Pronounced SKY-lur /ˈskaɪ.lər/High

Meaning: Scholar; or giving shelter — from Dutch Schuyler (scholar), or possibly from sky + -lar suffixMedium

In 30 seconds: A Dutch-origin surname meaning 'scholar,' Skylar has become a popular modern girls' name, valued for its airy sky imagery — even though the etymology points to Dutch scholarship, not the heavens.
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Origin HighDutch
MeaningScholar; or giving shelter — from Dutch Schuyler (scholar), or possibly from sky + -lar suffix
U.S. rank (2025)#167 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births1,818 girls (0.11% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 87,403

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201519742025

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

Skylar is a phonetic spelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, meaning 'scholar' (from Dutch schuilder or related to the school concept). It arrived in America with Dutch settlers in New York.

As a given name Skylar has been used for both boys and girls in the United States, increasingly for girls in the 21st century, now in the top 100 girls' names.

Did you know? The Schuyler family were one of the most prominent Dutch-descended families in colonial New York; General Philip Schuyler was a key figure in the American Revolution.

Variations

SkylerSchuyler

Nicknames

Sky

Famous Bearers

  • ★Skylar Grey (1986-)
    American singer and songwriter
  • ★Skylar Astin (1987-)
    American actor and singer known for Pitch Perfect
  • ★Skylar Diggins (1990-)
    American professional basketball player

If you like Skylar…

Harper— two-syllable surname name for girls with the same breezy modern popularity
Piper— short occupational surname with the same airy, nature-tinged feel
Willow— nature name with the same light, breezy feminine quality
Reagan— Irish surname name with the same two-syllable modern girls' chart success

Explore names like Skylar

By meaningSky / Heaven

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Skylar mean?

Skylar is a phonetic spelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, meaning 'scholar.' Despite its sky association, the etymology is Dutch.

How do you pronounce Skylar?

It is said SKY-lur /ˈskaɪ.lər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Skylar a boy or girl name?

Skylar is used for both boys and girls, but is now predominantly a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is Skylar?

Skylar has been in the U.S. top 250 girls' names in recent years.

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