Is Pilar a boy's or girl's name?

Pilar is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 753 recorded births.

When was Pilar most popular?

Pilar reached its peak popularity in 2005 with 137 births that year. It is currently ranked #3477 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Pilar?

Pilar is currently ranked #3477 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 5,457 babies since 1896.

Pilar

An uncommon Spanish pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysSpanishDeclining Also a pet name

#3477▼ 113in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name from Spanish.

Pilar is a girl's and boy's baby name of Spanish origin, from the Spanish pilar meaning 'pillar' or 'column' — a name of structural strength, referring to the Virgin Mary as the pillar of faith, from the Marian title Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar).

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, Spain, is one of the oldest Marian shrines in Christendom. Pilar is one of Spain's most beloved traditional names — carrying deep Catholic devotion alongside an architectural, strong-yet-graceful beauty.

Compare Pilar with another name

Popularity Over Time

Pilar was #1553 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #3477, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Pilar
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	241	#3321	▼
2010s	627	#2877	▼
2000s	1,099	#1810	▲
1990s	760	#1968	▲
1980s	573	#2022	—
1970s	626	#1645	▲
1960s	529	#1580	▲
1950s	246	#2271	▲
1940s	138	#2800	▼
1930s	165	#2074	▼
1920s	261	#1740	▲
1910s	154	#1854	▲
1900s	28	#1791	▲
1890s	10	#1839	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(121 years, 1896–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Pilar
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	45	#3477	-3 (-6.3%)
2023	48	#3364	+1 (2.1%)
2022	47	#3402	-6 (-11.3%)
2021	53	#3100	+5 (10.4%)
2020	48	#3264	-6 (-11.1%)
2019	54	#3029	+12 (28.6%)
2018	42	#3657	-14 (-25.0%)
2017	56	#2959	+13 (30.2%)
2016	43	#3645	-7 (-14.0%)
2015	50	#3289	-13 (-20.6%)
2014	63	#2773	-18 (-22.2%)
2013	81	#2298	+1 (1.3%)
2012	80	#2353	+6 (8.1%)
2011	74	#2477	-10 (-11.9%)
2010	84	#2291	-6 (-6.7%)
2009	90	#2201	-35 (-28.0%)
2008	125	#1770	+40 (47.1%)
2007	85	#2283	-14 (-14.1%)
2006	99	#2014	-38 (-27.7%)
2005	137	#1518	+9 (7.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Pilar as a Boy's Name

Though more common for girls, Pilar has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 753 births since 1913.

Unranked

Current rank

753

Total births

1951

Peak year

Compare Pilar as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Pilar be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Pilar is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #3477. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Pilar has two lives

Pilar, the baby name

#3477girls

5,457 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1896–2024) · Methodology