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Pilar
Pronounced pee-LAR /piˈlɑr/High
Meaning: Pillar; from the Marian title Nuestra Señora del Pilar, Our Lady of the Pillar of ZaragozaHigh
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Pilar comes from Nuestra Señora del Pilar — Our Lady of the Pillar — commemorating the apparition of Mary atop a column at Zaragoza, by tradition the first Marian apparition; her October feast is one of Spain's great days. Like Carmen and Dolores, the title became a beloved girls' name.
The name remains a Spanish standard and a Latin American staple; in the U.S. it is uncommon, elegant, and architecture-strong. Modern bearers run from Spanish broadcasting to Sarah Jessica Parker-era TV daughters.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Pilar Bardem (1939-2021)Spanish film and television actress and mother of actor Javier Bardem
- ★Pilar Pallete (1928-)Peruvian-American painter and author, wife of actor John Wayne
- ★Pilar Rubio (1978-)Spanish television presenter, reporter, and model
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Pilar mean?
Pilar is Spanish for 'pillar', from the Marian title Our Lady of the Pillar of Zaragoza.
How do you pronounce Pilar?
It's said pee-LAR /piˈlɑr/ — two syllables, stress on the second.
Is Pilar a boy or girl name?
Pilar is a girl's name.
How popular is Pilar?
Pilar is uncommon in the U.S. and a classic in Spain and Latin America.