Pilar
Pilar first appears in US records in 1896. It peaked in 2005, when 137 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 47.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Pilar popular?
Declining Pilar is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2005 peak.
| 2020s | 288 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 627 | |
| 2000s | 1,099 | |
| 1990s | 760 | |
| 1980s | 573 | |
| 1970s | 626 | |
| 1960s | 530 | |
| 1950s | 246 | |
| 1940s | 138 | |
| 1930s | 165 | |
| 1920s | 261 | |
| 1910s | 154 | |
| 1900s | 28 | |
| 1890s | 10 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Pilar mean?
A Marian devotional name from 'María del Pilar', Our Lady of the Pillar — commemorating the tradition that the Virgin appeared to Saint James standing on a pillar in Zaragoza. Pilar is simply the Spanish word 'pillar, column', from the Latin pila.
Names like Pilar
spanish names with a similar feel and popularity.
Names that pair well with Pilar
Popular spanish names for a sibling or a middle name.
Compare Pilar
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Pilar mean?
Pilar means pillar. A Marian devotional name from 'María del Pilar', Our Lady of the Pillar — commemorating the tradition that the Virgin appeared to Saint James standing on a pillar in Zaragoza. Pilar is simply the Spanish word 'pillar, column', from the Latin pila.
What is the origin of the name Pilar?
Pilar is of spanish origin.
How do you pronounce Pilar?
Pilar is pronounced “pee-LAR.”
Is Pilar a boy or a girl name?
Pilar is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Pilar a popular name right now?
Pilar is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2005 peak.
How popular is the name Pilar?
In 2025, Pilar ranked #3336 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Pilar most popular?
Pilar was most popular in 2005, when about 137 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What names are similar to Pilar?
Names similar to Pilar include Alba, Paloma, Esperanza, Reina, Isabela.
What names go well with Pilar?
spanish names that pair well with Pilar include Linda, Benjamín, Mía, Angel, Mateo.