Tyler Overview
- Meaning: The name Tyler is Old English and means “house builder” or “bricklayer.” As an occupational name, it was originally derived from Old French, and could also mean “tile maker.” Further meanings included “doorkeeper at an inn” or “tavern owner.”
- Gender: Tyler is a true unisex name, though it is commonly given to male babies. However, its popularity as a female name is continuing to grow.
- Origin: The modern name Tyler comes from Old English and Old French, and the words “tieuleor,” and “tieulier,” which means “tile maker.”
- Pronunciation: Tyler is pronounced “TIE-ler.”
- Popularity: Tyler is a very popular name in the United States and has remained in the top 150 names for boys and the top 1500 for girls. It ranked 130th for newborn boys in 2020.
- Nicknames: Tay, Tee, Tiger, Ty, Tye.
- Variations: Tiler, Tyla, Tylor, Tylah, Tylar.
- Namesakes: Tyler the Creator (American rapper and fashion designer), Tyler Hubbard (American country-western singer), Tyler Perry (American actor and director).
What Does the Name Tyler Mean?
“Tyler” is from Old English and means “house builder” or “bricklayer.” As an occupational name, it was derived from Old French and could also mean “tile maker.”
Further meanings included “doorkeeper at an inn” or “tavern owner.” These came from the name’s use in freemasonry as it was written on the office of the outer guard.
Tyler can serve as both a first or last name and is common for both genders (1).
What Is the Origin of the Name Tyler?
The modern name Tyler comes from Old English. Before that, it derived from Old French and the words “tieuleor” and “tieulier,” which meant “tile maker.”
By the time it made it to Middle English, it was “tyler” or “tylere,” which had the same meaning.
As a last name, the earliest recordings of “Tyler” were in Kent, South East England.
How Do I Pronounce Tyler?
Tyler is most commonly pronounced as “TYE-ler.” Here, the emphasis is on the first syllable. In British countries, it is most commonly pronounced with a soft end, such as “TYE-luh.”
How Popular Is the Name Tyler
Tyler is a very popular name in the United States. It reached its peak of popularity in 1993 when it held on to the 5th spot for newborn boys.
Although it dropped out of the top 100 in 2013, it continues to be a widely used choice. It ranked 130th for boys in 2020. While it is a unisex name, it fell out of the top 1000 names for girls in 2007 (2).
Is Tyler a Boy or Girl Name?
Tyler is a unisex name, though it is given to male babies. However, its popularity as a female name is continuing to grow.
Variations of Tyler
Tyler is a popular name with biblical ties spread over nations, beliefs, and cultures. Some popular variations include:
- Tiler (English)
- Tyla (English)
- Tylor (English)
- Tylah (English)
- Tylar (English)
Nicknames for Tyler
While there are numerous variations, only a few nicknames exist in comparison, such as:
- Tay
- Tee
- Tiger
- Ty
- Tye
Similar Names to Tyler
There are also names similar to Tyler, some of which are biblical while others are not.
These include:
- Aaron
- Adam
- Alexander
- Caleb
- Daniel
- David
- Elias
- Isaac
- Jacob
- James
- Jonah
- Joseph
- Luke
- Matthew
- Paul
Middle Names for Tyler
Tyler is often a middle name itself, but some great pairings with it as a first name include:
- Adam
- Anthony
- Benjamin
- Bobby
- Caleb
- Curtis
- David
- Douglas
- Joseph
- Michael
- Noah
- Sampson
Sibling Names for Tyler
Many names go great alongside Tyler for a sibling, whether boy or girl. Some of the most popular are:
For a brother:
- Anthony
- Adam
- Edward
- Isaiah
- Julian
- Michael
- Nathan
- Noah
- Samuel
- Thomas
For a sister:
- Emily
- Emma
- Etta
- Evelyn
- Grace
- Hannah
- Hazel
- Isobella
- Lillian
- Rebecca
Famous People Named Tyler
There are also many famous people named Tyler. Some of the most notable namesakes are:
- Liv Tyler: American actress best known for her roles in “Armageddon” and “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. She is also the daughter of Steven Tyler, singer of Aerosmith.
- Tyler, The Creator: An American rapper, producer, songwriter, singer, director, fashion designer, and visual artist.
- Tyler Hoechlin: American actor best known for his role in “Road to Perdition.”
- Tyler Hubbard: American country-western singer and songwriter.
- Tyler Joseph: American musician best known for his work in the band Twenty One Pilots.
- Tyler Perry: American actor, director, producer, musician, and writer.
Tyler in Popular Culture
Today, many Tylers are characters in pop culture as well.
You might recognize these fictional characters:
- Rex Tyler: A character from the DC Comics Universe. He was the original Hourman.
- Rose Tyler: Character from the sci-fi TV series “Doctor Who.”
- Tyler Brennen: Character from the television show “Burn Notice.”
- Tyler Durden: Character from the book and film “Fight Club.” This character was played by Brad Pitt.
- Tyler Leander: Character from the book “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel.
- Tyler Lockwood: Character from the television show “Vampire Diaries.”
- Tyler Moon: A character from the British television program and soap opera “EastEnders.”
Tyler FAQs
There are many questions you might have about the name Tyler. Here are some frequently asked.