Skylar

Meaning & origin

Skylar entered the United States baby name charts in 1974, and by 2015 it had climbed to its peak rank of 167. Since 2016, its popularity for girls has been in a gradual decline, though it remains a familiar choice. In 2025, roughly 1 in 884 newborns received the name, placing it solidly in the top 200. The name is especially well-liked in New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Mississippi. As a modern respelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, Skylar connects old-world roots with a contemporary, airy sound, often associated with the sky. Its versatility as a unisex name and its similarity to other surname-styled choices have contributed to its broad appeal over the past few decades.

Skylar is an Anglicized spelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, derived from 'schuilen', meaning 'to shelter' or 'to take refuge'. It originally denoted a person who worked as a shelterer or protector. The name gained popularity as a given name in the late 20th century, first for boys but increasingly for girls, influenced by the similar sound of 'Sky'. In modern usage, Skylar is often interpreted as a combination of 'sky' and the popular -lar suffix.