Cap
A cap is a flat headgear. They made their first appearance as early as 3200 BC. The origin of the word "cap" comes from the Old French word "chapeau" which means "head covering". Over time, the word has evolved and changed its meaning, but it still retains its association with headwear. They are popular in casual and informal settings, and are seen in sports and fashion.
Meaning & Origin of Cap
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
A cap is a flat headgear. They made their first appearance as early as 3200 BC. The origin of the word "cap" comes from the Old French word "chapeau" which means "head covering". Over time, the word has evolved and changed its meaning, but it still retains its association with headwear. They are popular in casual and informal settings, and are seen in sports and fashion.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
The Story of Cap
Cap first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a baby boy name in 1881, with 6 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 1885, when 9 Caps were born — ranking #641 that year. As of 2026, Cap ranks #12,301 for baby boys with 5 births, with steady use. In total, more than 104 Caps have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1880s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Names that sound like Cap
Phonetically similar names — useful when Cap is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cap
What does the name Cap mean?
How popular is Cap in 2026?
When was Cap most popular?
Is Cap a unisex name?
What names go well with Cap?
About the name Cap
Cap is a boy baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1881 and has accumulated 104 births in the dataset. Cap's peak popularity came in 1885 when it ranked #641. Use the chart and map above to compare Cap's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 1885 →
- Names of the 1880s →
- Names starting with "C" →
- Browse all boy names →
- Top names of 2026 →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.