Cap
A boy's name of Latin origin with 104 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Abbreviation of Capricorni (genitive)
Cap is a boy's baby name of Latin origin, a nickname-name from the English word 'captain' — from the Late Latin caput ('head') via the Old French capitaine. As a name, Cap carries the aspiration of leadership — the captain who is the head, the one in charge, the person everyone looks to when direction is needed. Shortening 'captain' to Cap gives it the informality of someone whose authority doesn't need a title.
Cap carries the Latin captain's authority in its most informal form — the one in charge who doesn't need to announce it, whose leadership is so natural and acknowledged that even his name can be compressed to three letters without losing any of its meaning. A name of casual, assured command.
EtymologyShow more
Though Cap dates back to 1881 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Latin classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 104 recorded births, Cap has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Cap has 18+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1881.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 13 | #10861 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 5 | #12450 | — |
| 1940s | 5 | #3495 | — |
| 1930s | 5 | #3617 | — |
| 1920s | 5 | #4384 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 24 | #3521 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 11 | #1157 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 16 | #1004 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 20 | #837 | — |
The Story of Cap
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1885, Cap is a name steeped in history. Boys named Cap are most likely born between 1881 and 1895.
How rare is Cap?
Only about 1 in every 720,000 babies born in 2024 was named Cap — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1881, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1910s with 24 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Cap by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(18 years, 1881–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | #12601 |
| 2022 | 8 | #9120 |
| 2013 | 5 | #12450 |
| 1944 | 5 | #3495 |
| 1936 | 5 | #3617 |
| 1920 | 5 | #4384 |
| 1919 | 5 | #4245 |
| 1918 | 5 | #4267 |
| 1917 | 7 | #3267 |
| 1913 | 7 | #2306 |
| 1901 | 6 | #968 |
| 1900 | 5 | #1345 |
| 1893 | 6 | #930 |
| 1892 | 5 | #1089 |
| 1891 | 5 | #993 |
| 1888 | 5 | #1058 |
| 1885 | 9 | #652 |
| 1881 | 6 | #800 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cap a boy's or girl's name?
When was Cap most popular?
How popular is the name Cap?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1881–2024