Girl · 15th of 35,406
Taylor
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
442,493
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1993
Peak Popularity Year
28,958
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Taylor stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Taylor has its roots in Old French and Middle English, originally meaning 'to cut' or 'tailor'. It evolved from 'taillour' to its current form. The name signifies craftsmanship and creativity, carrying no direct biblical relevance. Taylor became popular as both a surname and a first name, especially in the 20th century, and is now viewed positively in contemporary culture.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈteɪlər/
Origin
Old French, Middle English
Etymology
The name Taylor originates from the Old French word 'tailleur', meaning 'cutter' or 'to cut'. It was used as an occupational surname for someone who was a tailor by trade.
Meaning
to cut or tailor
Language Evolution
Old French: taillour, Middle English: taillour, Modern English: Taylor
Historical Usage
Taylor gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages as a surname before becoming widely used as a first name in the 20th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Tailor, Tayla, Taylah
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Taylor is seen as a modern and versatile name, popular among various demographics, often associated with creativity and individuality.
Famous People
Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner, Taylor Hicks
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 28,958 peak births in 1993
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 26 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 569th of 7545 | 1,911 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 733rd of 6773 | 1,338 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 784th of 7552 | 1,675 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 559th of 10718 | 3,351 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 80th of 16616 | 66,228 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 190th of 24088 | 31,397 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 526th of 23106 | 6,649 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6038th of 12526 | 75 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1679th of 19264 | 913 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 38th of 27321 | 127,441 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 15th of 35406 | 171,947 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 121st of 30306 | 28,980 |