Pistol

While Pistol might be more positively spun as a word name for an enterprising and spirited person, it's the small, handheld firearm that most people will think of first. As such, it joins the ranks of Cannon and Hunter, of Shooter and Gunner: a name with a violent image and in this case, an unfortunate first syllable.

Nevertheless, Pistol entered the US name stats for boys back in 2010 and then for girls in 2013. Since then, at least 80 babies have been given the name.

You'd probably be better off going with a pistol brand name, if you must, so the name has a little more versatility. Try Remington, Bond, Calico, Colt, Horizon, Kimber, Montana, Shiloh, or Zenith.

Pronounced PIS-tul.

As of October 2026, Pistol ranked #18488 in US births in 2015 SSA, peaked at #11741 in 2013.