"bright star in Aquila"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Altair
Pronunciation: [ ahlt-EHR ]
Does Altair flow with your last name?
A brilliant star name meaning the flying eagle
Arabic
American
Spanish
Unique
Bold
Earthy
Whimsical
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Altair
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Altair
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Altair
See all →What the Altair report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Altair the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Altair
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Altair head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Altair actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Altair is a main character in the video game Assassin's Creed (2007), which may be seen as positive by gaming families
The Story of Altair
Altair is the name of the brightest star in the constellation Aquila (the Eagle), and derives from the Arabic al-tair meaning the bird or the flying eagle. In medieval astronomy, Arab scholars named and catalogued the stars, and many star names in use today come from Arabic. Altair is one of the three stars forming the Summer Triangle, one of the most recognizable star patterns in the night sky.
Altair gained widespread recognition through the Assassin's Creed video game franchise, where Altair Ibn-La'Ahad is the protagonist of the original 2007 game. The name appeals to parents who love celestial names alongside Orion, Lyra, and Vega.
In Arabic astronomy, Altair (Alpha Aquilae) has been observed and named since ancient times. In Japanese mythology, Altair is associated with Tanabata, the star festival celebrating the reunion of two separated lovers. The star Altair is only 16.7 light-years from Earth.
Historical Record
Altair first appeared in US Social Security records in 2008.
Over 229 babies have been named Altair in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Altair is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #4,101 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Altair is the brightest star in the constellation Aquila and one of the closest stars visible to the naked eye at 16.7 light-years away
- Altair Ibn-La'Ahad is the protagonist of the original Assassin's Creed game (2007), set in the Holy Land during the Third Crusade
- In Japanese Tanabata festivals, Altair represents the Cowherd Star who can only meet his love once a year
Altair in Other Languages
Arabic
Al-Tair
French
Altair
German
Altair
Spanish
Altair
Japanese
Hikoboshi
Popularity Over Time
#4,101
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Altair
A
Altair Ibn-La'Ahad Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the original Assassin's Creed video game (2007), an Assassin during the Third Crusade
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Najee
Boy
"one who is saved, survivor"
#3,908
Hawthorne
Boy
"hawthorn tree, thorny hedge enclosure"
#4,176
Roosevelt
Boy
"from the rose field"
#4,113
Dana
Boy
"from Denmark, a Dane"
#4,273
Darrow
Boy
"spear, from the oak grove"
#4,119
Compare Altair with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,101
- Total SSA Count
- 26
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic American Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Al
Alt
Tai
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Altair
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Altair fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Altair is also used as a girl name, ranked #18663.
View Altair as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Altair →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Altair with...
Same Origin Names (Arabic)
See all Arabic names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Altair
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Altair and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Altair sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Najee
Boy
Arabic origin
"one who is saved, survivor"
#3,908 in US
Hawthorne
Boy
Old English origin
"hawthorn tree, thorny hedge enclosure"
#4,176 in US
Roosevelt
Boy
Dutch surname origin
"from the rose field"
#4,113 in US
Dana
Boy
Old English origin
"from Denmark, a Dane"
#4,273 in US
Darrow
Boy
Old English origin
"spear, from the oak grove"
#4,119 in US
Whitman
Boy
Old English origin
"white man, fair-haired man"
#4,125 in US
Psalms
Boy
Hebrew/Greek origin
"sacred songs, hymns of praise"
#4,216 in US
Ethen
Boy
Hebrew origin
"strong, firm, enduring"
#4,161 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Altair's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Altair
What does the name Altair mean?
"bright star in Aquila" (from Arabic). Altair is the name of the brightest star in the constellation Aquila (the Eagle), and derives from the Arabic al-tair meaning the bird or the flying eagle. In medieval astronomy, Arab scholars named and catalogued the stars, and many star names in use today come from Arabic. Altair is one of the three stars forming the Summer Triangle, one of the most recognizable star patterns in the night sky.
What is the origin of the name Altair?
Altair has Arabic, American, and Spanish origins. In Arabic, it means "bright star in Aquila".
Is Altair a boy or girl name?
Altair is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4101. As a girl name, it is ranked #18663. Altair is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Altair?
Altair is pronounced ahlt-EHR.
How popular is the name Altair?
Altair is currently ranked #4101 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Altair?
Common nicknames for Altair include Alt and Tai.
What are good middle names for Altair?
Popular middle name pairings include Altair James, Altair Cruz, Altair Leon, Altair Phoenix, Altair Sky, Altair Cole, and Altair Orion.
What are good sibling names for Altair?
Names that pair well with Altair as siblings include Orion, Phoenix, Lyra, Vega, Rigel, Sirius, and Cassidy.
How many syllables does Altair have?
Altair has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Altair a common or rare name?
Altair is an uncommon name, ranked #4101 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Altair
Altair is a boy name with Arabic, American, and Spanish origins . The name means "bright star in Aquila" in Arabic .
Is Altair a boy or girl name? Altair is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,101 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #18,663. Altair is more commonly used as a boy name.
Altair is currently ranked #4,101 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Altair has 3 syllables and is pronounced ahlt-EHR, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Altair include Al, Alt, and Tai. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Arabic Names
Browse all names with this origin
A
Names Starting with A
More boy names like Altair
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis