Baylor

Pronunciation: [ b-AYL-er ]

Boy Name #366 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A fresh Southern surname with big-school energy

American English

Modern Bold Unique Strong Playful

Meaning & Origin

"one who bails, deliverer"

Origin: Old French

Language: English

"administrator of justice"

Origin: Anglo-Norman

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Baylor

Baylor Wilson

Entertainer

1993

American reality television personality from The Bachelor franchise

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

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

Baylen #1731 Baylon #4365

Common Nicknames

Bay Bay-Bay

Pairs Well With

Baylor James Baylor Scott Baylor Lee Baylor Thomas Baylor Ray Baylor Cole Baylor Grant

Sibling Names

Tatum Mason Harper Chase Remi Walker Blakely

Also a Girl Name

Baylor is also used as a girl name, ranked #806.

View Baylor as a girl name →

Similar Names

Taylor Wheeler Tyler Tucker Tyson Sawyer Walker Slater

Playground Safety

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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.

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.