Traylor Howard was born and raised in Orlando. She attended Lake Highland Prep. high school, and while in high school, she appeared in a Juicy Fruit gum commercial. Howard then went on to graduate from Florida State University with a degree in communications and advertising, and a minor in English.

Her first name was taken from the maiden name of her mother. Along with her father, her family is also composed of two brothers - one older and one younger. Traylor has said that her tomboy-like tendencies, as well as the fact that she has a lot of guy friends, are probably due to her brothers. Traylor attended a private school in Orlando before attending Florida State, where she received a degree in communications and advertising, as well as a minor in English. She had not intended to become an actress, but her mother had encouraged it (having experience in the field herself). Mother is always right. Today, Traylor's credits include work on over fifty commercials, two sitcoms and three movies.