That's a strange one. You may know a Tyler or two on your block, and a few more in your neighborhood, but did you know the name was a top 30 boy's name in the US (number 28 in 2009)? Well, even if you did, did you know the name was the fifth most popular boy's name in the US as recently as 1994? Only ten years ago Tyler was the 10th most popular name for US boys, which may also surprise many.
So what's going on here? How does such a popular name go under the radar? And more importantly for parents who may consider the name for their newborn, why the recent decline?
Tyler is a very American name, which might explain its popularity. It comes from an English last name, and really only exists as an American first name (mainly for boys, but there are quite a few girls with that name as well).
The same reason behind its popularity--its very American sound--may be the reason for the decline, as these things come and go. One generation may go for a traditional name, the next may go for a unique and modern, uniquely American name, and the next generation goes back to tradition. By the time new parents choose to try something new or more uniquely American, they might choose a different name.
Which means that although Tyler is still a very popular name in the US, especially considering its lack of historical reference point, its decline may continue even further in the next few years.
2010 Update:
Well, it was bound to happen. Tyler is now the 34th most popular boy's name in the US.
