How to say it
SKY · lar
ˈskaɪ.lɚ
Unisex
Skylar
Scholar, refuge
What it means
American spelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler ('scholar' or 'shelter, refuge'). The first-name use surged in the 1990s; Breaking Bad's Skyler White (Anna Gunn, 2008-2013) anchored a darker modern reference.
Skylar is an American respelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, from a Dutch root meaning 'scholar' or 'shelter, refuge.' Philip Schuyler (1733-1804), Alexander Hamilton's father-in-law and a Revolutionary War general, gave the surname its American historical anchor. The first-name use is mostly post-1990; Breaking Bad's Skyler White (Anna Gunn, 2008-2013) gave the name a darker prestige-TV anchor. As a given name Skylar entered the US top 100 in 2014 and is now firmly unisex. The Skyler/Skylar/Schuyler spelling tree all pronounces the same: SKY-lar.
How to spell Skylar
The standard spelling is Skylar. Common variants include Skyler, Schuyler, but Skylar is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
Feminine: peaked at #42 in 2015, currently #167 in 2025.
Masculine: peaked at #356 in 2000, currently #1537 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Breaking Bad's Skyler White is the dominant prestige-TV anchor; Hamilton (the musical) features the Schuyler sisters (1700s spelling).
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Skyler White Anna Gunn's character in Breaking Bad, 2008-2013
- Schuyler Sisters Three Schuyler sisters in Hamilton (1700s Dutch-American spelling)
Spelling variants
- Skyler
- Schuyler
Names with the same feeling
See Skylar from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Skylar mean?
- American spelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler ('scholar' or 'shelter, refuge'). The first-name use surged in the 1990s; Breaking Bad's Skyler White (Anna Gunn, 2008-2013) anchored a darker modern reference.
- What does Skylar mean in Dutch?
- In Dutch, Skylar means "Scholar, refuge." Skylar is an American respelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, from a Dutch root meaning 'scholar' or 'shelter, refuge.' Philip Schuyler (1733-1804), Alexander Hamilton's father-in-law and a Revolutionary War general, gave the surname its American historical anchor. The first-name use is mostly post-1990; Breaking Bad's Skyler White (Anna Gunn, 2008-2013) gave the name a darker prestige-TV anchor. As a given name Skylar entered the US top 100 in 2014 and is now firmly unisex. The Skyler/Skylar/Schuyler spelling tree all pronounces the same: SKY-lar.
- How do you pronounce Skylar?
- Skylar is pronounced ˈskaɪ.lɚ. Say it as SKY-lar, with the stress on the "sky" syllable.
- How do you spell Skylar?
- The standard spelling is Skylar. Common spelling variants include Skyler, Schuyler.
- Is Skylar a boy or girl name?
- Skylar is used for both boys and girls.
- How popular is the name Skylar?
- Skylar ranked #167 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.