Altair Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

At a Glance

Meaning

The flying eagle (referring to the star Alpha Aquilae)

Origin

Arabic

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

al-TAIRListen

Altair comes from Arabic and means "the flying eagle," the name for the star Alpha Aquilae. You might see it described as simply meaning "star," but that's not quite accurate — it names one specific bright star, not stars in general. For a parent weighing the name, it carries that precise, single-star reference rather than a broader meaning.

Meaning & Origin of Altair

Meaning: The flying eagle (referring to the star Alpha Aquilae).

Origin: Arabic.

A common claim: Often said to simply mean 'star.' Actually: It isn't the generic word for 'star' — it's Arabic for 'the flying eagle,' naming one specific bright star, not stars in general.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Altair

Popularity of Altair

Across SSA records from 2008 to 2024, Altair reached its highest rank of #4063 in 2024, the year it was given to 26 babies.

Names Like Altair

These names have followed a similar path to Altair in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Kayani
• Amiris
• Kaziah
• Aryav
• Adir
• Keari

FAQ

What does the name Altair mean?

The flying eagle (referring to the star Alpha Aquilae). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Altair?

Altair is pronounced al-TAIR (IPA: /ælˈtaɪər/).

Is Altair a popular name right now?

Altair is at its highest recorded popularity right now, ranked #4063 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 2008–2024.)

Make Altair Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Altair, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.