This one kind of snuck up on me. The more I think about it the more I like it. My grandmother’s maiden name is [name]Taylor[/name], and there’s a strong history of sailing on both sides of my family; my beloved mentor sails, and sailboats are associated with many happy childhood memories. [name]Saylor[/name] also has a lovely, breezy sound, evocative of the sea.
My only concern is that “[name]Saylor[/name]” sounds so much like an occupation that “[name]Saylor[/name] [ln]” or “[name]Saylor[/name] [mn]” will sound like a declaration of rank and not a name! Otherwise I love it. I’m particularly fond of [name]Jane[/name] [name]Saylor[/name].
I agree with you on the occupation thing. [name]Saylor[/name]/[name]Sailor[/name] is just too much of a profession or hobby for me. I’m okay with it as a middle, especially since it has so much meaning to you. I think it sounds very nice with [name]Jane[/name].
However, I would spell it [name]Sailor[/name]. It’s a dictionary word, and it makes no sense to me to change the spelling. It is closer to [name]Taylor[/name], but it rhymes no matter how you say it and I think it would still honor her. [name]Sailor[/name] just looks a lot more “right” to me.
Ha! Well, I would say that these are good points, but I also think that by the time my kids are in kindergarten references 1-3 will be dated enough that they won’t be an issue (I can’t even remember what [name]Christie[/name] Brinkley’s famous for and am not sure what her connection to [name]Saylor[/name] is, and I’m in my 20s). As for the [name]Navy[/name] connection, that doesn’t really bother me.
Sailor, Sailor, Sailor.
And no, I don’t like it. I’m in my 20’s too and I know that the reference may be dated, but the parent’s generation will remember it.
If I met someone who said ‘[name]Hi[/name]! I’m [name]Saylor[/name]’ I would be hearing ‘[name]Hi[/name]! I’m a sailor’. I think I would totally fail to grasp that it was her name leading to a ‘Who’s on first?’ style circular conversation.
For a seafaring name you can’t beat [name]Nancy[/name], but of course you can never use [name]Ruth[/name] incase she wants to be a pirate, and pirates are ruthless.
I don’t mind [name]Sailor[/name]. A morning show presenter in Aus named his little one [name]Sailor[/name] recently. It’s kinda like [name]Story[/name]. Nice in theory but probably best kept for the mn slot
ETA just saw upthread you’re only considering it for a middle. In that case, it’s a big fat yes!
You ain’t fooling anyone by spelling it with a Y. If you’re going to name your daughter [name]Sailor[/name], name her [name]Sailor[/name].
When I think of it beside your granny’s name, it makes me want to say
“tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, poor man, rich man, beggar man, thief!”
When I was in fifth grade, one of my best friends was named [name]Saylor[/name]. This has been a guilty pleasure for me since. It’s a modern version of [name]Taylor[/name]. And if you spell it [name]Sailor[/name], there’s the [name]Sailor[/name] [name]Moon[/name] reference, and that’s awesome for an anime nerd like me, but you might not want that. But, by the time she’s in kindergarten, no one will tease her about it. My friend was never teased about [name]Saylor[/name] references, and I had a mean fifth grade.
I love [name]Sailor[/name]! I like [name]Saylor[/name]! I absolutely love your reasons for using it! I don’t think any of the points above are worth worrying about and kudos to you for going with something different and meaningful. I’m in the South US, where we love our surnames and word names and family names. I know a girl [name]Sailor[/name] [name]Rae[/name] (double name), a [name]Saylor[/name], a [name]Baylor[/name], [name]Traylor[/name] (all bonafide surnames), and a boy [name]Sailor[/name]. So come on down
For the mn, go feminine and grounded, and you’ll have a dynamic duo.
Really interesting mix of responses here! I think now that I’d definitely spell it [name]Sailor[/name] and keep it to the middle spot. Any ideas for combos?
(fyi [name]Christie[/name] Brinkley named her daughter [name]Sailor[/name] 12+ years go. She started it).
going off your classic/vintagey preferences [fyi I don’t think you should go too wild with [name]Sailor[/name], as it’s such a strong style statement. You can do [name]Andromeda[/name] [name]Jane[/name] or [name]Wisteria[/name] [name]Elise[/name], but not [name]Wisteria[/name] [name]Sailor[/name]].
Go for it.