Sailor

Pronunciation: [ s-AYL-er ]

Boy Name #2,710 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

An adventurous seafaring name for bold spirits

American English

Adventurous Modern Unique Bold Playful

Meaning & Origin

"one who sails, mariner"

Origin: English

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Sailor

Sailor Lee Brinkley-Cook

Other

1990

Daughter of supermodel Christie Brinkley and musician Billy Joel, who helped popularize the name

Sailor Moon (Usagi Tsukino) Fictional

Entertainer

The magical girl protagonist of the iconic Japanese manga and anime series Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi

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

Pairs Well With

Sailor James Sailor Blue Sailor Lee Sailor Gray Sailor Reed Sailor Cole Sailor Scout

Sibling Names

Pilot Scout River Harbor Beacon Camden

Also a Girl Name

Sailor is also used as a girl name, ranked #1341.

View Sailor as a girl name →

Similar Names

Taylor Wheeler Tyler Tucker Tyson Sawyer Walker Slater

Playground Safety

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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.