Pilar
Pilar is a feminine Spanish language given name, traditionally short for "Maria del Pilar". Notable people with the name include:
- Spanish
Meaning & Origin of Pilar
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
Pilar is a feminine Spanish language given name, traditionally short for "Maria del Pilar". Notable people with the name include:
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
Cultural Origins (via Behind the Name)
- Spanish
The Story of Pilar
As a girl name
The earliest SSA record of Pilar as a girl name dates back to 1896, when 5 babies received it. 2005 was its biggest year on record, with 137 newborns named Pilar — #1,513 in the national rankings. The 2000s were its strongest decade, accounting for roughly 20% of all recorded Pilars. In the latest 2026 data it stands at #3,474 among girl names with 45 births, gradually falling (-9%). In total, more than 6K Pilars have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1890s through the 2020s.
As a boy name
The earliest SSA record of Pilar as a boy name dates back to 1913, when 6 babies received it. 1951 was its biggest year on record, with 22 newborns named Pilar — #1,598 in the national rankings. Its most recent appearance in the national data came in 2008 (6 births); the name has since faded from the published rankings. In total, more than 753 Pilars have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1910s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Variants & Related Forms of Pilar
Foreign forms, alternate spellings, and nicknames that share roots with Pilar. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
- Pili
Names that sound like Pilar
Phonetically similar names — useful when Pilar is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
- Piler
- Polar
- Pillar
- Pallor
- Peeler
- Piller
- Paler
- Puller
- Poler
- Pooler
- Pealer
- Peller
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pilar
What does the name Pilar mean?
What is the origin of the name Pilar?
How popular is Pilar in 2026?
When was Pilar most popular?
In which U.S. states is Pilar most popular?
Is Pilar a unisex name?
What names go well with Pilar?
What are nicknames or variants of Pilar?
About the name Pilar
Pilar is a unisex baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1896 and has accumulated 6K births in the dataset. Pilar's peak popularity came in 2005 when it ranked #1,301. Use the chart and map above to compare Pilar's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 2005 →
- Names of the 2000s →
- Names starting with "P" →
- Browse all girl names →
- Top names of 2026 →
- Browse unisex names →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.