"one who sails, mariner"
Origin: English
Language: English
Sailor
Pronunciation: [ s-AYL-er ]
Does Sailor flow with your last name?
An adventurous seafaring name for bold spirits
American
English
Adventurous
Modern
Unique
Bold
Playful
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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Things to Know About This Name
- Sailor Moon association may feel strong for some parents (since 1992)
The Story of Sailor
Sailor is a straightforward English occupational word name, derived from Middle English "saillour" and Old French "saillier," meaning one who navigates by sail. Like Hunter, Cooper, and Mason, it belongs to the American tradition of turning occupational nouns into first names. While traditionally used for girls (made famous by Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel's daughter Sailor Lee), it has been used for boys as well in the 2010s.
Sailor gained name recognition when supermodel Christie Brinkley and musician Billy Joel named their daughter Sailor Lee Brinkley-Cook in 1990. The name has appeared for boys as part of the broader gender-neutral occupational name trend, though it remains more commonly given to girls.
Nautical names have been rising across English-speaking cultures, reflecting a romanticized relationship with the sea and adventure. Sailor also carries connotations of Sailor Moon (the beloved anime), which for many is a positive pop culture association.
Historical Record
Sailor first appeared in US Social Security records in 1997.
Over 646 babies have been named Sailor in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Sailor is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,710 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel named their daughter Sailor Lee Brinkley-Cook in 1990
- Sailor Moon premiered in Japan in 1992 and remains one of the best-selling manga series of all time
Sailor in Other Languages
French
Matelot
German
Seemann
Italian
Marinaio
Spanish
Marinero
Popularity Over Time
#2,710
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Sailor
S
Sailor Lee Brinkley-Cook
Other
1990
Daughter of supermodel Christie Brinkley and musician Billy Joel, who helped popularize the name
S
Sailor Moon (Usagi Tsukino) Fictional
Entertainer
The magical girl protagonist of the iconic Japanese manga and anime series Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi
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Compare Sailor with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,710
- Total SSA Count
- 48
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Sail
Sale
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Sailor
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Sailor is also used as a girl name, ranked #1341.
View Sailor as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sailor
What does the name Sailor mean?
"one who sails, mariner" (from English). Sailor is a straightforward English occupational word name, derived from Middle English "saillour" and Old French "saillier," meaning one who navigates by sail. Like Hunter, Cooper, and Mason, it belongs to the American tradition of turning occupational nouns into first names. While traditionally used for girls (made famous by Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel's daughter Sailor Lee), it has been used for boys as well in the 2010s.
What is the origin of the name Sailor?
Sailor has English and American origins. In English, it means "one who sails, mariner".
Is Sailor a boy or girl name?
Sailor is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2710. As a girl name, it is ranked #1341. Sailor is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Sailor?
Sailor is pronounced s-AYL-er.
How popular is the name Sailor?
Sailor is currently ranked #2710 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Sailor?
Common nicknames for Sailor include Sail and Sale.
What are good middle names for Sailor?
Popular middle name pairings include Sailor James, Sailor Blue, Sailor Lee, Sailor Gray, Sailor Reed, Sailor Cole, and Sailor Scout.
What are good sibling names for Sailor?
Names that pair well with Sailor as siblings include Pilot, Scout, River, Harbor, Beacon, and Camden.
How many syllables does Sailor have?
Sailor has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Sailor a common or rare name?
Sailor is an uncommon name, ranked #2710 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Sailor
Sailor is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "one who sails, mariner" in English .
Is Sailor a boy or girl name? Sailor is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,710 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,341. Sailor is more commonly used as a girl name.
Sailor is currently ranked #2,710 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Sailor has 2 syllables and is pronounced s-AYL-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Sailor include Sail and Sale. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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