Taylor is a given name of English origin that has been used for both boys and girls over the centuries. The name is derived from an Old English surname that was originally an occupational name for a tailor, which comes from the Middle English word "taylour" meaning "tailor". The occupation of tailor was highly respected in medieval England due to the skill and craftsmanship required.
The name Taylor gained popularity during the 19th century as a given name for both sexes. It is believed that the use of Taylor as a given name may have been influenced by the Puritan movement, which encouraged simplicity and directness in naming practices.
Taylor has also been used as a surname for centuries. In some cases, the surname Taylor is not related to the occupation of tailor but rather comes from other sources such as Scottish or Irish surnames that mean "cheerful" or "bright".
Today, Taylor is a popular given name for both boys and girls in English-speaking countries. It has consistently ranked among the top 1000 names in the United States since the mid-20th century.
In terms of its meaning, Taylor does not have any specific association with particular traits or characteristics beyond its occupational origin. However, like all names, it can take on personal significance based on individual experiences and associations.
Some notable people named Taylor include American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, American football player Taylor Bradbury, and English actor Taylor Dayne.
The name Taylor saw a significant increase in popularity over the years, with a substantial spike from the late 1970s onwards. Between 1976 and 1982 alone, the number of annual births named Taylor increased by more than 50 times, from 68 to 3880. This trend continued into the 1990s, peaking in 1993 with 21,270 births. Since then, the popularity of the name has gradually declined, reaching 1,185 births in 2023. In total, over the period from 1951 to 2023, there were 328,443 births named Taylor.