Declining since 2010, #8,910 for boys today.
Popularity of Pilot since 2005
Babies named Pilot per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 44 |
| 2010s | 99 |
| 2020s | 25 |
Meaning & origin
Pilot entered the U.S. baby name charts in 2005, a modern addition reflecting the trend of occupational and adventurous word names. Its rank of 8910 in 2025 places it among rarer choices, though it saw a peak in 2009 (likely influenced by celebrity usage). The name's trajectory has been falling since 2010, suggesting a short-lived spike rather than sustained growth. With a 1-in-213,510 rate, it remains uncommon, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive, action-themed name. Its top states in the early years included California and New York, but recent data shows no concentrated regional popularity.
Pilot derives from the Middle French 'pilote', which came from Italian 'pilota', ultimately from Greek 'pēdon' meaning 'rudder' or 'oar blade'. As a surname, it referred to a mariner who guided ships into harbor. Its use as a first name is a modern English coinage, likely influenced by the appeal of occupational names and the adventurous connotations of aviation and seafaring.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Pi, P
Sibling names for Pilot
Names that share Pilot's style, for a brother or sister.
