The name "Byker" is first recorded in The Feet of Fines in A.D.1196 as Bikere, and later as Byker in The Book of Fees of A.D.1212.

It is held by Ekwall (Dictionary of English Place-names, 1936, 1960) to be derived from Old Scandinavian Bý Kiarr - 'the village marsh'. However, given that the area is on a hill, it may be Middle English By Kerr - 'by the Kerr', with reference to neighbouring Walker

bý is Old West Scandinavian for a village: Old Norse býr: Old Danish/Swedish by

by is the same in Middle English as in Modern English: a preposition meaning 'near' or 'close to'

kerr or carr comes from Old West Scandinavian kjarr; a marsh. The term is most often used for a marsh overgrown with trees such as alder and willow.