Captain
2025 SSA
About Captain
A commanding word name that feels occupational like Miller, Palmer, and Shepherd, while also fitting in with ambitious choices like Legend, King, Major, Maverick, and Saint. Referring to someone who takes the lead and holds influence and responsibility, Captain has links to team sports, the military, seafaring, superheroes, and the police.
Used sporadically throughout the 20th century, Captain is currently given to around 20 boys each year in the US. Some might certainly find it best reserved as a title or for a pet, but current naming trends could see it rise.
Footballer Captain Munnerlyn is one notable bearer, while the BBC sitcom Ghosts features a character who goes by Captain (or The Captain) nearly exclusively.
Pronounced KAP-tin.
As of October 2026, Captain ranked #5242 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #695 in 1887.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #3,917 | 26 | 13.5 |
| 2015 | #4,093 | 25 | 13 |
| 2016 | #3,454 | 32 | 16.9 |
| 2017 | #4,125 | 25 | 13.5 |
| 2018 | #3,383 | 33 | 18.2 |
| 2019 | #4,350 | 23 | 12.8 |
| 2020 | #4,561 | 21 | 12.2 |
| 2021 | #4,959 | 19 | 10.9 |
| 2022 | #4,321 | 24 | 13.7 |
| 2023 | #4,905 | 20 | 11.7 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Captain.
Captain on lists
Famous Captains
- Captain Munnerlyn
American football player who was named after his great,grandfather
Captain in pop culture
- Captain America aka Steve Rogers
Marvel Comics character
- Captain Weaver
character on TV series "Falling Skies"
- Captain Mack
British kids TV series and its main character
- Captain Jack Harkness
main character in TV series "Torchwood"
- Captain Becker
character from ITV Series “Primeval”
- Captain Jack Sparrow
pirate in movie series "Pirates of the Caribbean"
- Captain James T. Kirk
captain of the Starship Enterprise in TV series "Star Trek"
- Captain Phasma
female character in the movie "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
- Cap'n Crunch
breakfast cereal
- Captain Candy
character in animated movie "Barbie in the Nutcracker"
- Captain & Tennille
American recording artists, with "Captain" Daryl Dragon