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 August 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
- 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.