Gaylor
A masculine name possibly derived from a combination of the words "gay" and "lor".
Name Census estimates that about 6 living Americans carry the first name Gaylor. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Gaylor today is around 82 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Gaylor births was 1917 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Gaylor. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Gaylor is about 82 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Gaylors were born before 1954.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Gaylor. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
6
~ 1 in 57,125,723 Americans
Peak year
1917
7 babies that year
Average age
82
years old
1953 SSA rank
#4,014
Tracked since 1917
Popularity
Gaylor: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Gaylor from the 1910s through to the 1950s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1910s, with 7 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1910s peak, Gaylor remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gaylor by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Gaylor during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Gaylor
The name Gaylor is a unique and intriguing one, with its origins tracing back to the Middle Ages in Europe. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "gaillard," which means "lively" or "merry." This suggests that the name was originally given to individuals with a joyful and exuberant disposition.
During the medieval period, the name Gaylor was predominantly found in regions of France and England, where it was used as a first name for both males and females. It is thought to have been particularly popular among the nobility and upper classes, as it carried a certain air of sophistication and refinement.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gaylor can be found in the 13th-century literary work "Roman de la Rose," written by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun. In this allegorical poem, a character named Gaylor is depicted as a young and vibrant individual, further reinforcing the name's association with liveliness and joy.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Gaylor. One such figure was Gaylor Rainsford (1587-1659), an English military engineer and cartographer who served in the English Civil War. His contributions to fortification design and mapmaking earned him a respected reputation in his field.
Another prominent figure was Gaylor Duvallon (1675-1742), a French playwright and poet who gained recognition for his satirical works and comedic plays. His sharp wit and keen observational skills made him a celebrated figure in the literary circles of his time.
In the realm of arts and culture, Gaylor Deschamps (1815-1892) was a French painter known for his vivid landscapes and depictions of rural life. His works captured the beauty and essence of the French countryside and were highly acclaimed during his lifetime.
Moving into more recent times, Gaylor Ness (1902-1987) was an American businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to various charitable organizations. His generosity and commitment to supporting worthy causes left a lasting impact on the communities he served.
Lastly, Gaylor Jungles (1920-2003) was a British author and journalist who wrote extensively on topics related to adventure, travel, and exploration. His captivating narratives and vivid descriptions of far-off lands inspired countless readers to embark on their own journeys of discovery.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who carried the name Gaylor, each leaving their unique mark on their respective fields and eras. While the name may be uncommon today, its rich history and symbolism continue to fascinate those who delve into its origins and meanings.
People
Gaylor + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Gaylor as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with G
Other first names starting with G with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Gaylor: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Gaylor?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 6 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Gaylor going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 57,125,723 US residents.
Is Gaylor a common name?
We classify Gaylor as "Very Rare". It ranks above 22.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 23 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Gaylor most popular?
The single biggest year for Gaylor was 1917, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Gaylor is about 82 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Gaylor in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Gaylor a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Gaylor in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Gaylor still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Gaylor in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Gaylor can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have the name Gaylor?
HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, answers that with the living-bearer count in one glance.