"one who bails, deliverer"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
Baylor
Pronunciation: [ b-AYL-er ]
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A fresh Southern surname with big-school energy
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Meaning & Origin
"administrator of justice"
Origin: Anglo-Norman
Language: English
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The Story of Baylor
Baylor is an English occupational surname derived from Old French 'bailleur,' meaning 'one who bails' or 'one who delivers goods into custody.' It was a surname for bailiffs or those who administered justice at a local level. As a given name it is almost exclusively an American phenomenon, gaining traction in the 21st century as a surname-style first name.
Baylor entered the US baby name charts in the early 2010s and has climbed steadily. Its rise parallels other Southern-inflected surname names like Beckett, Ledger, and Walker. Baylor University in Waco, Texas (established 1845) gives the name a prestigious institutional association in the South.
Baylor University is one of the largest Baptist universities in the world and a significant cultural institution in Texas, lending the name a Southern collegiate feel. The name fits the contemporary American trend of choosing strong, one-or-two-syllable surnames as first names.
Historical Record
Baylor first appeared in US Social Security records in 1985.
Over 8,152 babies have been named Baylor in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Baylor is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #366 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Baylor University, founded in 1845 in Waco, Texas, is the world's largest Baptist university
- The name shares its -aylor ending with the ultra-popular surname-names Taylor and Tyler
- Baylor basketball player Drew Eubanks helped raise national awareness of the Baylor name in sports
Baylor in Other Languages
French
Baylor
German
Baylor
English
Baylor
Spanish
Baylor
Portuguese
Baylor
Popularity Over Time
#366
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Baylor
B
Baylor Wilson
Entertainer
1993
American reality television personality from The Bachelor franchise
E
Elgin Baylor
Athlete
1934
NBA legend and Hall of Famer who played for the Los Angeles Lakers and was one of the game's early superstars
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #366
- Total SSA Count
- 903
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Bay
Bay-Bay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Baylor
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Baylor is also used as a girl name, ranked #806.
View Baylor as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Baylor
What does the name Baylor mean?
"one who bails, deliverer" (from Old French). "administrator of justice" (from Anglo-Norman). Baylor is an English occupational surname derived from Old French 'bailleur,' meaning 'one who bails' or 'one who delivers goods into custody.' It was a surname for bailiffs or those who administered justice at a local level. As a given name it is almost exclusively an American phenomenon, gaining traction in the 21st century as a surname-style first name.
What is the origin of the name Baylor?
Baylor has Old French, Anglo-Norman, American, and English origins. In Old French, it means "one who bails, deliverer". In Anglo-Norman, it means "administrator of justice".
Is Baylor a boy or girl name?
Baylor is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #366. As a girl name, it is ranked #806. Baylor is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Baylor?
Baylor is pronounced b-AYL-er.
How popular is the name Baylor?
Baylor is currently ranked #366 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Baylor?
Common nicknames for Baylor include Bay and Bay-Bay.
What are good middle names for Baylor?
Popular middle name pairings include Baylor James, Baylor Scott, Baylor Lee, Baylor Thomas, Baylor Ray, Baylor Cole, and Baylor Grant.
What are good sibling names for Baylor?
Names that pair well with Baylor as siblings include Tatum, Mason, Harper, Chase, Remi, Walker, and Blakely.
How many syllables does Baylor have?
Baylor has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Baylor a common or rare name?
Baylor is a popular name, ranked #366 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Baylor?
About the Name Baylor
Baylor is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "one who bails, deliverer" in Old French .
Is Baylor a boy or girl name? Baylor is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #366 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #806. Baylor is more commonly used as a boy name.
Baylor is currently ranked #366 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Baylor has 2 syllables and is pronounced b-AYL-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Baylor include Bay and Bay-Bay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Baylor include Baylen, Baylon . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis