Holding steady.
Popularity of Commodore since 1880
Babies named Commodore per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1923, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Commodore's real moment was 1891.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 38 |
| 1890s | 32 |
| 1900s | 10 |
| 1910s | 78 |
| 1920s | 110 |
| 1930s | 41 |
| 1940s | 41 |
| 1950s | 7 |
| 1960s | 11 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Commodore is a rare given name drawn from the naval rank, reflecting a historical tradition of bestowing occupational and honorific titles as first names. Its first recorded use in U.S. data dates to 1880, with a peak in 1891, though it has never entered mainstream popularity. The name has remained stable in obscurity over the decades, with no top states showing significant usage. As a distinctive, historical choice, Commodore carries connotations of naval authority and a bygone era of naming practices.
Commodore is derived from the Dutch 'kommandeur,' meaning commander, and was adopted into English as a naval rank during the 17th century. As a given name, it saw sporadic use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often as a middle name or a tribute to a military figure. It never achieved widespread popularity and remains a rare, occupational-inspired choice.
Sibling names for Commodore
Names that share Commodore's style, for a brother or sister.
