The Skyhawk name was originally used for a trim package, but was later applied to all standard-production 172 aircraft, while some upgraded versions were marketed as the Cutlass. Measured by its longevity and popularity, the Cessna 172 is the most successful aircraft in history.

The Cessna 172 is most widely known by its official name, the "Skyhawk," but in the aviation community, it is often simply called the "172" or, more affectionately, the "Land-O-Matic." The latter nickname was a marketing term used by Cessna in the 1950s to describe the aircraft's revolutionary tricycle landing gear, which made landing significantly easier and safer compared to the "taildragger" aircraft of the era. Because it is the most-produced aircraft in history (over 45,000 built), it is also frequently called the "World's Most Popular Plane." Among flight instructors and students, it is sometimes teased as being "slow and steady" or a "predictable trainer," but these are terms of endearment for a plane that is legendary for its forgiving flight characteristics and mechanical reliability. Whether you call it a Skyhawk or a 172, it is the plane that has trained more pilots than any other airframe in existence, making it a foundational icon of general aviation. Its high-wing design and stable platform have earned it a permanent place in the hearts of aviators worldwide.