Sailor Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Sailor' originates from Middle English, derived from the Old French word 'sailleur,' meaning 'one who sails.' The name evolved through various forms, with its roots tracing back to the Latin 'salire.' It signifies a connection to the sea and adventure, with no biblical relevance. The name gained popularity during the maritime exploration era and has a modern image associated with freedom and creativity.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Sailor"
Pronunciation
/ˈseɪlər/
Origin
Middle English
Etymology
The name 'Sailor' derives from the Middle English word 'sailour,' which itself comes from the Old French 'sailleur,' meaning 'one who sails.' The term is rooted in the Latin word 'salire,' which means 'to leap' or 'to jump,' referring to the action of sailing.
Meaning
one who sails
Language Evolution
Old French: sailleur, Middle English: sailour, Modern English: Sailor
Historical Usage
The name 'Sailor' gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the maritime exploration era, particularly from the 16th century onwards, as seafaring became a prominent occupation.
Variants & Derivatives
Sailorette, Sail, Sally
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name 'Sailor' holds a positive connotation, often associated with adventure, freedom, and a connection to the sea. It has become more popular as a given name in recent years, especially in creative and artistic circles.
Famous People
Sailor Brinkley Cook, Sailor Moon (fictional character)
📊 Sailor Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Sailor Name Visualizations
✨ Sailor Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 294 peak births in 2016
Geographic Spread
Popular across 33 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Sailor"
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 of "Sailor"
"Sailor" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6399th of 24088 | 181 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3051st of 23106 | 465 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2736th of 35406 | 951 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1197th of 30306 | 2,445 |
Regional Popularity of "Sailor" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
39.46% 2692nd/6822 |
63.67% 3996th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Sailor" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
88.26% 4044th/4582 |
- |
33.02% 2415th/7313 |
38.83% 2898th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
36.65% 1460th/3984 |
54.87% 2462nd/4487 |
15.68% 1070th/6822 |
17.97% 1128th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Sailor"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Sailor" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Sailor" in the United States
The name Sailor is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Sailor has been falling for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Sailor' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6399th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3051st out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2736th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1197th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Sailor' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.