Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Captain

Captain

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAP-tin /ˈkæp.tɪn/High

Meaning: From the word captain — 'a leader; a chief; the head of a group' (from Latin caput, 'head'); a modern word/title nameLow

In 30 seconds: A captain; a leader; a chief: Captain is a word/title name. Crisp, bold, and warm.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowEnglish, Latin
MeaningFrom the word captain — 'a leader; a chief; the head of a group' (from Latin caput, 'head'); a modern word/title name
U.S. rank (2024)#6883 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births12 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 448

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201818832024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Captain comes from the word captain — 'a leader; a chief; the head of a group' (from Latin caput, 'head'). A bold, modern word/title name (we flag it as a title-name). A crisp, confident name (said 'KAP-tin'; nickname Cap).

In the U.S. it registers thinly. Rare, a-leader-and-a-chief at the root, and bold.

Did you know? Captain comes from the word for 'a leader; a chief; the head of a group' (from Latin caput, 'head') — a bold, modern word/title name (said 'KAP-tin').
Overall data confidence 38%
References — Captain — word/title name

Variations

CaptianKaptain

Nicknames

Cap

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Captain…

Major— a fellow rank/title word-name boys' name
King— a companion title word-name boys' name
Duke— a sound-neighbor title word-name boys' name
Chief— another leadership word-name boys' name

Explore names like Captain

By themeuncertainenglishlatinword-name
By meaningLeader

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Captain mean?

Captain is an English word/title name — 'a leader; a chief; the head of a group'; we flag it as a title-name.

How do you pronounce Captain?

It's said KAP-tin /ˈkæp.tɪn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Captain a boy or girl name?

Captain is a boy's name.

How popular is Captain?

Captain is a very rare name in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia