Sailor

Pronunciation: [ s-AYL-er ]

Girl Name #1,341 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Coastal cool with a spirit of adventure

English American Australian

Whimsical Bold Modern Playful Unique

Meaning & Origin

"one who sails, seafarer"

Origin: Old English via Old French

Language: English

"navigator of the sea"

Origin: English

Language: English

The Story of Sailor

Sailor as a given name is a modern invention, derived directly from the English occupational word 'sailor' — one who works on a sailing vessel. The word itself traces back to the Old French 'sailleor' and ultimately to the Latin 'sagulum' (a sail). As a name, it belongs to the contemporary trend of occupational words used as first names, alongside Hunter, Mason, Scout, and Cooper.

Sailor gained attention when Christie Brinkley named her daughter Sailor Lee Cook in 2015. The name fits perfectly into the nautical naming trend that brought names like Cove, Marina, Reef, and Bay into circulation. It appeals to families with a love of the sea, coastal living, or a playful, adventurous spirit.

Sailor evokes the romance of maritime adventure and the freedom of open water. In cultures with strong seafaring traditions (Scandinavia, Ireland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand), ocean-inspired names carry particular resonance. The name is almost exclusively female in current US usage despite its gender-neutral etymology.

Fun Facts

Christie Brinkley named her daughter Sailor in 2015, helping launch the name into mainstream awareness
Sailor Moon, the beloved anime franchise, has made the word 'Sailor' feel powerful and feminine for an entire generation
The US Navy's term 'Sailor' (capitalized) is considered the official title for all enlisted and officer naval personnel

Sailor in Other Languages

French Matelot

English Sailor

Italian Marinaio

Spanish Marinera

Portuguese Marinheiro

Famous People Named Sailor

Sailor Brinkley-Cook

Other

2015

Daughter of supermodel Christie Brinkley; helped bring the name Sailor into mainstream awareness

Sailor Moon Fictional

Other

Iconic fictional magical girl superhero from the Japanese anime and manga series 'Sailor Moon' by Naoko Takeuchi; one of...

Iconic fictional magical girl superhero from the Japanese anime and manga series 'Sailor Moon' by Naoko Takeuchi; one of the most beloved animated characters in history

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,341
Total SSA Count: 170
Cultural Origins: English American Australian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Sail Sadie

Pairs Well With

Sailor Grace Sailor Mae Sailor Blue Sailor Anne Sailor Wren Sailor June Sailor Pearl

Sibling Names

River Cove Indigo Bay Finn Reef Marina Quinn

Also a Boy Name

Sailor is also used as a boy name, ranked #2710.

View Sailor as a boy name →

Similar Names

Hallie Wheeler Tyler Aili Sawyer Walker Bailey Saylor

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sailor

What does the name Sailor mean?

"one who sails, seafarer" (from Old English via Old French). "navigator of the sea" (from English). Sailor as a given name is a modern invention, derived directly from the English occupational word 'sailor' — one who works on a sailing vessel. The word itself traces back to the Old French 'sailleor' and ultimately to the Latin 'sagulum' (a sail). As a name, it belongs to the contemporary trend of occupational words used as first names, alongside Hunter, Mason, Scout, and Cooper.

What is the origin of the name Sailor?

Sailor has Old English via Old French, English, American, and Australian origins. In Old English via Old French, it means "one who sails, seafarer". In English, it means "navigator of the sea".

Is Sailor a boy or girl name?

Sailor is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1341. As a boy name, it is ranked #2710. 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 #1341 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Sailor?

Common nicknames for Sailor include Sail and Sadie.

What are good middle names for Sailor?

Popular middle name pairings include Sailor Grace, Sailor Mae, Sailor Blue, Sailor Anne, Sailor Wren, Sailor June, and Sailor Pearl.

What are good sibling names for Sailor?

Names that pair well with Sailor as siblings include River, Cove, Indigo, Bay, Finn, Reef, Marina, and Quinn.

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 #1341 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Sailor

Sailor is a girl name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "one who sails, seafarer" in Old English via Old French .

Is Sailor a boy or girl name? Sailor is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,341 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,710. Sailor is more commonly used as a girl name.

Sailor is currently ranked #1,341 in popularity for girl 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 Sadie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.