Skylar

Skylar is a variant spelling of Skyler, which itself derives from the Dutch surname and given name Schuyler. The root Schuyler was introduced to America by 17th-century Dutch settlers in New York, originally as a surname. By the 19th century, it had entered use as a given name in honor of prominent members of the New York Schuyler family, such as Philip Schuyler, a general in the American Revolutionary War, and Schuyler Colfax, the 17th Vice President of the United States (1869–1873).

Etymology and History

Schuyler is an Anglicized form of the Dutch word schuyler, meaning 'scholar' or 'schoolmaster'. The spellings Skyler and Skylar emerged in the United States during the 1980s, initially more common for boys. Skylar was particularly popularized for girls after being used on the American soap opera The Young and the Restless in 1989 and the movie Good Will Hunting in 1997. The name's sharp rise in the United States around 2011 may also be attributed to the character Skyler White from the acclaimed television series Breaking Bad (2008–2013), as well as the singer Skylar Grey (born 1986, née Holly Brook), who adopted the name professionally in 2010.

Notable Bearers

Today, Skylar is used for both boys and girls. Notable women bearing the name include basketball player Skylar Diggins-Smith (born 1990), actress and singer Skyler Day (born 1991), ballerina Skylar Brandt (born 1993), Canadian curler Skylar Ackerman (born 2001), and Paralympic rower Skylar Dahl (born 2003).

Related Names

Variant forms include Skyler and Skyla, the latter being a modern coinage possibly influenced by names like Kayla or Skylar itself.

• Meaning: Scholar, schoolmaster (via Schuyler)
• Origin: Dutch, via the surname Schuyler
• Type: Unisex given name
• Usage regions: Primarily English-speaking countries