Schuyler is a given name of Dutch origin, adapted from a Dutch surname meaning "scholar" (from the German Schüler). The name was introduced to North America by 17th-century Dutch settlers arriving in what is now New York. It later became a given name in honor of prominent members of New York's Schuyler family, particularly the American general and senator Philip Schuyler (1733–1804). This led to its adoption as a first name for both boys and girls. Etymology and History The surname Schuyler is a Dutch adaptation of the German name Schüler, meaning "scholar" or "student." The name was brought to America by Dutch colonists in the 17th century, settling in the New Netherland colony, especially around Albany, New York. Over time, given the prominence of the Schuyler family—including figures such as General Philip Schuyler, a Revolutionary War leader and U.S. Senator—the surname began to be used as a given name, both as a first name and middle name. By the 19th and 20th centuries, Schuyler entered the general American naming pool, often given as a masculine name but also used for females. Notable Bearers One of the most famous recipients is Schuyler Colfax (1823–1885), the 17th Vice President of the United States (1869–1873) under President Ulysses S. Grant. Colfax, like the early Schuylers, came from a prominent New Jersey family. (According to his biographies, his direct ancestor — Casparus van Schuler — was born in the Dutch Republic.) The name has also seen use in popular culture, for example in the character Schuyler (Skyler) on television series. Modern Usage and Variants The given name has spawned modern phonetic variants—primarily Skylar, Skyler, and Skyla—which are far more common today than the original Dutch spelling. In 2007, Skylar was the 171st most popular name for girls and 479th for boys in the United States; Skyler ranked 374th for females and 271st for males. Among Dutch-descent families, such as the contemporary descendants of Colonel Johannes Schuyler, the progenitor of New Netherland lineage, Schuyler remains used both as a mid-century given name and an alternative spelling concept.