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Pilar as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Pilar

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The baby name Pilar is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced Spanish: /piˈlar/ (pee-LAR); English (anglicized): /ˈpɪlər/ (PIL-ər).

Pilar is Spanish in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Spanish
Pronunciation: Spanish: /piˈlar/ (pee-LAR); English (anglicized): /ˈpɪlər/ (PIL-ər)

What is the meaning of the name Pilar ?

The baby name Pilar is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced Spanish: /piˈlar/ (pee-LAR); English (anglicized): /ˈpɪlər/ (PIL-ər).

Pilar is Spanish in Origin.

Pilar is a Spanish feminine given name derived from the common noun pilar “pillar, column,” ultimately from Latin pila “pillar, pier.” As a given name it is inseparable from the Marian title Nuestra Señora del Pilar (“Our Lady of the Pillar”), honoring the Virgin Mary’s apparition to Saint James at Zaragoza; the name thus carries meanings of “pillar,” “support,” and by extension “steadfast, reliable.”

Established in Spain by the Middle Ages through the Zaragoza shrine, Pilar became especially common in the 19th and 20th centuries and remains familiar across Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines (feast day: October 12). Variants include the compound María del Pilar and regional spellings unchanged in Catalan, Galician, and Portuguese. Pet forms and colloquial contractions are Pili, Pilarín, Piluca, and Maripili. The name’s religious tie adds a protective nuance, while the everyday Spanish meaning keeps it accessible and modern.

Pilar has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Pilar

Pilar Bardem Actor · Born 1939 · Spain Pilar Bardem was a Spanish actor best known for her roles in films like 'Live Flesh' and 'The Ages of Lulu'. She was a prominent figure in Spanish cinema and the mother of actor Javier Bardem. Pilar López de Ayala Actor · Born 1978 · Spain Pilar López de Ayala is a Spanish actor best known for her role in the film 'Juana la Loca', where she portrayed Queen Joanna of Castile. She has also appeared in 'The Bridge of San Luis Rey' and 'Alatriste'. Pilar Pellicer Actor · Born 1938 · Mexico Pilar Pellicer was a Mexican actress best known for her role in the film 'La Choca'. She also appeared in 'El Escapulario' and 'Pedro Páramo', making significant contributions to Mexican cinema during her career.
Pilar Mercedes Miró Romero Actor · Born 1940 · Spain Pilar Miró was a prominent Spanish film director and screenwriter, best known for her work on the film 'El Crimen de Cuenca'. She played a significant role in the Spanish film industry, especially during the transition to democracy. Her film 'Gary Cooper, Who Art in Heaven' is another notable work. Pilar Castro Actor · Born 1970 · Spain Pilar Castro is a Spanish actress best known for her roles in films like 'Fat People' and 'The Best Summer of My Life'. Born in 1970, she has made a significant impact in Spanish cinema with her versatile performances. Pilar Rubio Actor · Born 1978 · Spain Pilar Rubio is a Spanish television presenter and actress, best known for her work on the comedy show 'Sé lo que hicisteis...'. She has also appeared in films like 'Isi/Disi: Alto Voltaje' and is married to footballer Sergio Ramos.

Pilar – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Spain Girls 0 #7 52,829 5,561
HN 0 #21 2 704
Spain 0 #27 2,306 2,326
PE Girls 0 #35 10,085 14,861
HN Girls 0 #36 3 884
MO 0 #51 2 2,706
PR 0 #54 2 1,497
CM 0 #56 1 2,592
CL Girls 0 #61 8,160 14,098
LU 0 #66 1 2,830
PE 0 #76 352 6,350
AO 0 #77 1 2,729
JP 0 #77 1 4,057
SI 0 #80 1 1,612
EC Girls 0 #82 217 3,650
EC 0 #94 22 2,502
CO Girls 0 #101 10,501 16,140
CL 0 #102 672 6,867
PH 0 #105 6 5,607
QA 0 #106 1 7,011
PA 0 #117 14 3,797
UY 0 #118 61 2,477
CO 0 #125 865 7,768
CY Girls 0 #125 1 3,755
IQ 0 #133 1 3,533
MU 0 #133 5 3,613
Switzerland Girls 2024 #134 2 1,786
CR 0 #135 24 5,526
PR Girls 0 #135 27 3,171
AR 0 #146 41 2,915
MT Girls 0 #152 2 3,773
UY Girls 0 #155 730 6,731
SI Girls 0 #176 2 2,769
MX Girls 0 #183 5,350 17,781
AE 0 #186 2 10,220
LU Girls 0 #186 5 4,850
AR Girls 0 #199 862 8,289
DK 0 #204 3 5,198
AO Girls 0 #214 4 4,575
CR Girls 0 #220 420 11,342
PT 0 #230 17 4,161
JP Girls 0 #232 14 6,592
MO Boys 0 #234 1 5,842
NA Girls 0 #237 1 7,146
EC Boys 0 #242 5 3,322
MX 0 #246 181 8,339
GR Girls 0 #249 1 6,293
BO Girls 0 #254 538 9,488
TW Boys 0 #256 1 7,111
HR Boys 0 #259 1 3,997
MO Girls 0 #262 2 7,056
JM Girls 0 #278 1 7,507
SG 0 #281 2 11,010
PT Girls 0 #283 188 7,952
TW Girls 0 #287 3 8,139
GT 0 #293 22 5,948
JP Boys 0 #303 1 7,909
MU Girls 0 #303 49 8,539
CZ Boys 0 #305 1 6,530
PA Girls 0 #311 176 9,861
SA 0 #311 2 10,560
BO 0 #314 68 6,868
DK Girls 0 #325 5 7,429
PH Girls 0 #326 65 13,098
JO Girls 0 #334 6 7,570
QA Girls 0 #339 5 15,378
CN Girls 0 #340 10 8,829
CZ Girls 0 #351 1 5,378
HK 0 #355 3 8,483
BR 0 #359 2 5,969
PL Girls 0 #363 2 5,096
MU Boys 0 #368 2 8,477
PT Boys 0 #379 3 7,951
NL 0 #380 12 2,481
OM Girls 0 #387 10 15,987
UY Boys 0 #388 12 5,922
GT Girls 0 #393 115 7,500
YE 0 #397 2 8,639
France Girls 2021 #403 3 3,185
PH Boys 0 #406 3 11,440
Austria Girls 0 #408 13 1,885
EG 0 #410 3 6,387
AR Boys 0 #447 21 7,628
GT Boys 0 #457 18 7,625
KW Girls 0 #493 23 19,177
PA Boys 0 #499 7 9,305
CR Boys 0 #503 8 10,188
PS Girls 0 #513 11 10,981
RU Girls 0 #520 4 11,913
IQ Girls 0 #525 1 11,303
RU Boys 0 #526 1 12,621
AE Girls 0 #528 26 20,968
IR Girls 0 #545 1 8,334
CM Girls 0 #555 6 11,671
LY 0 #559 1 12,703
SG Girls 0 #572 15 18,916
CM Boys 0 #575 1 12,054
BH 0 #579 9 17,937
HK Girls 0 #593 23 16,104
CL Boys 0 #597 69 13,390
IL Girls 0 #598 20 11,648
BO Boys 0 #617 6 9,244
IT 0 #630 85 4,183
Spain Boys 0 #646 297 5,610
LB 0 #648 11 13,263
IQ Boys 0 #697 1 13,071
IT Girls 0 #742 949 9,415
QA Boys 0 #742 2 18,093
MX Boys 0 #756 230 16,355
Germany Girls 0 #761 78 4,949
SY 0 #763 5 11,684
PE Boys 0 #773 106 14,506
BR Boys 0 #784 2 12,213
CO Boys 0 #811 110 15,656
TN 0 #862 4 13,765
SA Girls 0 #866 70 25,931
United States Girls 2024 #872 45 8,487
United States Boys 2008 #883 6 7,541
NL Girls 0 #890 66 5,933
BR Girls 0 #900 42 12,708
OM Boys 0 #918 1 17,948
EG Boys 0 #923 3 15,035
EG Girls 0 #941 19 14,742
MY Girls 0 #981 14 24,821
NG Boys 0 #1,001 1 16,906
IN Boys 0 #1,039 1 16,750
MA 0 #1,114 15 20,986
MY Boys 0 #1,181 2 25,439
DZ 0 #1,228 7 20,130
ZA Girls 0 #1,229 8 25,928
TR 0 #1,251 4 19,440
ZA Boys 0 #1,269 4 25,619
IT Boys 0 #1,456 16 10,046
SA Boys 0 #1,689 3 28,008

Pilar is popular in 69 countries — most recent births per country:

France
United States
Switzerland
AE
AO

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People also ask about Pilar

Pilar is predominantly a girl's name.
Pilar is a 2 syllable name, pronounced Spanish: /piˈlar/ (pee-LAR); English (anglicized): /ˈpɪlər/ (PIL-ər).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include María del Pilar, Pili, Pilita, Pilarín and Piluca.
Across languages, Pilar has these equivalents: Mary of the Pillar (literal English translation), María (equivalent Marian name), Pilar (used also in Portuguese and Catalan).
Yes — Pilar ranked #134 in Switzerland in 2024, and appears in official birth registries across 3 countries.
Pilar ranks highest in Switzerland (#134 in 2024).
Pilar's popularity is rising significantly. It moved from #416 in 2011 to #403 in 2021 in France.
Yes — 7 notable people named Pilar are in our database, including Pilar Bardem (Actor), Pilar López de Ayala (Actor), Pilar Pellicer (Actor).