Sawyer
Gender: Mostly Boy
Meaning: One who saws wood; woodcutter
Origin: Middle English occupational surname — from saghe (saw) + the agent suffix -er
Popularity: Ranked #122 in 2025 with 2,941 babies born.
History: Sawyer is an occupational surname for a woodcutter, but its first-name fame rests entirely on Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer — the irrepressible, adventure-seeking protagonist of one of America's most beloved novels. The name was virtually unused as a given name until the late 20th century, when it began appearing for both boys and girls. The TV series Lost featured a roguish character named Sawyer, boosting its visibility in the 2000s. It entered the U.S. top 100 in the 2010s and carries a wonderfully American literary spirit — resourceful, independent, and full of life.
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Sawyer? About 1 in 833 babies born in 2025 were named Sawyer, or roughly 11 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Sawyer
What does the name Sawyer mean?
Sawyer means “One who saws wood; woodcutter” from Middle English occupational surname — from saghe (saw) + the agent suffix -er roots.
What is the origin of the name Sawyer?
Sawyer has Middle English occupational surname — from saghe (saw) + the agent suffix -er origin. The traditional meaning is “One who saws wood; woodcutter”.
How popular is Sawyer?
Sawyer ranked #122 in 2025 — given to 2,941 babies that year.
When was Sawyer most popular?
Sawyer peaked in 2015 with 4,271 babies registered that year.
Is Sawyer a boy or girl name?
Sawyer is used for both boys and girls. In the records, about 78% of Sawyers are boys and 22% are girls.
Is the name Sawyer rising or falling in popularity?
Sawyer has risen 117 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #239 in 2020 to #122 in 2025.
How long has Sawyer been recorded?
Sawyer appears in birth records across 45 years — from 1913 through 2025.