Capone

Meaning & origin

Capone is a rare American given name derived from the Italian surname made famous by Al Capone. First recorded in 1996, it reached its peak popularity in 2007, with usage steadily declining since 2006; by 2025 it was given to just 1 in 341,615 boys, ranking 12,008th. The name has never appeared in top state data, indicating extremely scattered use. Its trajectory shows a clear decline after a brief spike in the mid-2000s, likely tied to media references to the gangster. As a surname used as a first name, Capone fits a pattern of Italian-American naming and carries the heavy cultural association with its most notorious bearer. Parents choosing Capone today are likely drawn to its bold, uncommon sound and mobster-era cachet, but the name remains statistically very unusual and without a strong revival.

Capone is an Italian surname derived from 'capone', meaning capon, a castrated rooster raised for meat, thus an occupational name for a poultry merchant. Its use as a given name in the United States dates to the late 20th century, likely inspired by the notoriety of Prohibition-era gangster Al Capone. The name remains rare, with no established cultural or religious tradition as a first name.