Find out how popular the first name Skip has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Skip by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Skip is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Skip.

The history of the first name Skip

The given name Skip has its origins in the English language, tracing back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "scippian," which meant "to leap or skip." This name was initially used as a nickname or a shortened form of other names containing the word "skip," such as Skipper or Skipworth.

In the early days, Skip was a common nickname given to children who exhibited a lively and energetic demeanor, often skipping and hopping around. The name gained popularity among English-speaking communities, particularly in England and later in the American colonies.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Skip can be found in the writings of William Shakespeare. In his play "The Merry Wives of Windsor," written in the late 16th century, a character named Skip is mentioned, although it is unclear whether this was a first name or a nickname.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Skip. One of the earliest examples is Skip Kendall, an English cricketer who played for Kent County Cricket Club in the late 18th century (born in 1768, died in 1837).

In the 20th century, Skip Bat Porter, an American baseball player, was born in 1932 and played for the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Athletics in the 1950s and 1960s.

Another famous Skip was Skip Caray, an American sportscaster who covered baseball and basketball games for various teams, including the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks. He was born in 1939 and passed away in 2008.

Skip Bayless, an American sports commentator and writer, has also been a prominent figure with this name. He was born in 1951 and is known for his work on various television networks, including ESPN and Fox Sports.

Lastly, Skip Spence, an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, was a member of the influential rock band Moby Grape in the 1960s. He was born in 1946 and sadly passed away in 1999.

While the name Skip may not have been as widely used throughout history as other names, it has remained a distinctive and often endearing moniker, particularly in English-speaking cultures, reflecting a sense of energy and playfulness.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Skip was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Skip, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!