Tyler

updated Sept 2015

Tyler ~ Tile Maker ~ English

History
Tyler might seem like a name without much history since it started making waves in the 1980s and '90s, but it isn't a new name by any means. Americans were first familiar with Tyler as an English surname, taken from the occupation of a tile-maker. In fact, our 10th president, John Tyler, was one of those with the surname. He was the first to take the office via succession, after the 9th president died only one month into his first term.

Today, Tyler fits in perfectly with last names that have been transformed into given names. It's a unisex name that is more typically given to boys. Oddly enough, girls were given the name more often in the early '90s, but that trend did not last. (Taylor, on the other hand, is a different story!)

I personally like Tyler because it's got a great sound, and it's contemporary but doesn't seem invented or unusual because it's so familiar to us as a surname with a long history. It says quintessential all-American boy to me. And I just love the nickname Ty.

Popularity
Tyler is ranked at #21 for boys, and #875 for girls (as of 2014 stats). It's been falling a bit as it looks for its home in the top 1,000. The top 30 isn't too shabby for this contemporary hit!

• Variations: Ty, Tylar
• Celebrities named Tyler include
• Tyler Perry, actor & producer
• Tyler Williams, child actor
• Tyler Hilton, singer and actor
• Mary Tyler Moore, actress
• Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and daughter Liv Tyler, actress