What Does the Name Skyler Mean?
Skyler is a unisex name of Dutch origin meaning “scholar (popular meaning); etymologically from Dutch surname Schuyler, meaning 'shelter / one who takes refuge'. The listed 'fugitive' is a misleading gloss — it should be 'shelter / refuge' (from schuiler, 'one who hides/shelters'), not 'fugitive'..”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Skyler |
|---|---|
| Gender | unisex |
| Origin | Dutch |
| Meaning | scholar (popular meaning); etymologically from Dutch surname Schuyler, meaning 'shelter / one who takes refuge'. The listed 'fugitive' is a misleading gloss — it should be 'shelter / refuge' (from schuiler, 'one who hides/shelters'), not 'fugitive'. |
| Variants | Schuyler, Skylar, Skyla, Skyller |
| Popularity | Popular in the US for both sexes since the 1990s; the 'Skylar' spelling trends more female and 'Skyler' is used across genders. |
The meaning and origin of Skyler
The name Skyler means “scholar (popular meaning); etymologically from Dutch surname Schuyler, meaning 'shelter / one who takes refuge'. The listed 'fugitive' is a misleading gloss — it should be 'shelter / refuge' (from schuiler, 'one who hides/shelters'), not 'fugitive'.” and has Dutch origins. An English respelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, meaning 'scholar' or 'one who shelters.' Influenced by the word 'sky,' it became a popular given name for both sexes in recent decades.
Variants and related names
Skyler is related to several other names you may recognize: Schuyler, Skylar, Skyla, Skyller. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Skyler?
Popular in the US for both sexes since the 1990s; the 'Skylar' spelling trends more female and 'Skyler' is used across genders.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Skyler mean?+
The name Skyler means “scholar (popular meaning); etymologically from Dutch surname Schuyler, meaning 'shelter / one who takes refuge'. The listed 'fugitive' is a misleading gloss — it should be 'shelter / refuge' (from schuiler, 'one who hides/shelters'), not 'fugitive'.” and is of Dutch origin.
What is the origin of the name Skyler?+
Skyler originates from Dutch.
Is Skyler a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Skyler has trended in the US over time.
Skyler by gender
More unisex names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press