Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Saylor
GirlEnglish, French· “sailor; possibly 'dancer'”
- Meaning
- sailor; possibly 'dancer'
- Origin
- English, French
- Pronunciation
- SAY-lur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #217
- US babies 2025
- 1,415
- Best rank
- #207 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Saylor
Saylor is an English and French name that is usually said to mean “sailor; possibly 'dancer'”.
Saylor is an English surname with two possible sources. It may be an occupational name for a sailor, or it may come from the Old French sailleor, a dancer or leaper, since surnames often followed trades and entertainments. Because both explanations exist, its original sense is not fully certain. As a first name, Saylor has become popular in the United States as part of the trend for surnames with a relaxed, outdoorsy sound. The seafaring echo gives it a breezy, adventurous feel. It is easy to pronounce, suits both a baby and an adult, and needs no nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Sailor, Sayler.
Popularity over time
Saylor first appears in US Social Security records in 1992. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 13 different years, starting in 2013. Its best national rank was #207 in 2022, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 1,415 were named Saylor. In 2025, 1,415 babies were named Saylor, and it ranked #217 nationally. That is 195% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,813 in 2000, #1,306 in 2010, and #217 in 2025. Of the 14,482 US girls named Saylor since records began, 54% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 5,112 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Selah, Dahlia, Elianna, Aitana, and Celine.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Saylor ranked highest in Mississippi, Wyoming, and Alabama.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #47 | 35 |
| Wyoming | #55 | 7 |
| Alabama | #64 | 57 |
| Arkansas | #81 | 32 |
| Oklahoma | #98 | 37 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 95% of US babies named Saylor over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Saylor is usually pronounced SAY-lur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-or”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Sailor and Sayler.
Middle names for Saylor
A few middle names that flow with Saylor: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Saylor
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Lists that include Saylor
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Saylor mean?
Saylor is an English and French name that is usually said to mean “sailor; possibly 'dancer'”.
What is the origin of the name Saylor?
Saylor has English and French roots. Saylor is an English surname with two possible sources.
Is Saylor a popular name?
Yes. Saylor ranked #217 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Saylor a boy or girl name?
Saylor is mainly a girl's name. About 95% of US babies named Saylor over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Saylor?
Saylor is usually pronounced SAY-lur. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings