Meaning & origin
A reliable meaning for Captain isn’t established in our sources yet. Rather than guess, we show what is recorded: how the name is used, how often, and the names it’s connected to.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1883. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Captain through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 466
- 466 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2018
- 33 babies
- 2025
- 18
- #5,242 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −31%
- Easing
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 18 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 5,242 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 30.6% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 33 in 2018. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 514 as a first name in 2020; 1,211 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Captain’s family of names
In English usage, Captain has a short form in Cap.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Captain, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Karson
“from the swamp” · “a free man”
95% boys · 5% girls
Kashton
Kashton is a masculine given name.
99% boys · 1% girls
Carson
“from the swamp” · “the son of a marsh dweller”
96% boys · 4% girls
Karter
“a transporter of merchandise” · “one who transports goods; one who drives a cart”
86% boys · 14% girls
Killian
“a warrior woman; of the church” · “one who is small and fierce”
98% boys · 2% girls
Camden
“from the winding valley”
95% boys · 5% girls
Callan
“one who is powerful in battle” · “a talkative woman”
95% boys · 5% girls
Kaiden
“a beloved companion”
99% boys · 1% girls