A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Cap since 1881
Babies named Cap per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 20 |
| 1890s | 16 |
| 1900s | 11 |
| 1910s | 24 |
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 13 |
Meaning & origin
Cap is a rare and concise given name, historically used as a nickname for 'Captain' or as an independent name. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1881, and reached its highest recorded usage in 1885. After more than a century of minimal use, it has seen a slight resurgence since 2020, possibly reflecting modern parents' preferences for short, distinctive names. Despite its simplicity, Cap has no established meaning and is best understood as a diminutive or occupational reference. Its trajectory suggests a niche revival, but it remains one of the least common names in the Social Security data.
Cap originated as a nickname or diminutive, typically from 'Captain' or the medieval given name 'Cap' itself, possibly derived from Latin 'caput' meaning 'head'. It saw brief use in the late 19th century, especially in the United States, but has never been common. Its usage has revived slightly in recent years, likely due to interest in short, punchy names.
Sibling names for Cap
Names that share Cap's style, for a brother or sister.
