Rising since 2008, #5,608 for boys today.
Popularity of Altair since 2008
Babies named Altair per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 22 | 5 |
| 2010s | 113 | 144 |
| 2020s | 33 | 96 |
Meaning & origin
Altair, an Arabic star name meaning 'the flyer,' has been on the rise in the United States since it first appeared on the Social Security Administration's list in 2008. In 2025, the name ranked 5,608 and was given to about 1 in every 106,755 newborns, with its peak year of popularity so far in 2024. The name's trajectory has been steadily upward for nearly two decades, reflecting a broader trend of astronomical and mythological names gaining favor. While the name has not yet broken into any state-level top lists, its consistent growth suggests increasing appeal among parents seeking distinctive and celestial-inspired names.
Altair derives from the Arabic phrase 'al-ṭā’ir' (الطائر), meaning 'the flying one' or 'the bird.' It entered European astronomy during the Islamic Golden Age via translations of Arabic star catalogs. The name has been used as a given name in modern times, particularly in the United States and Latin America, where astronomical names gained popularity.
“Altair” around the world
Where Altair lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Al, Air
Variants: Altaïr, Altaír, Althair
Sibling names for Altair
Names that share Altair's style, for a brother or sister.
