Skipper
Skipper is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Ship's captain or master.
Origin and history
Skipper is an English occupational name historically meaning a ship's captain or master, derived from the Middle Dutch word 'scipper'. In the United States, it has been used occasionally as a given name, though it is most widely recognized as a title or nickname. It remains a rare choice for boys in contemporary U.S. birth records.
Popularity in the United States
830 babies in the United States have been named Skipper since 1880. It ranks #3846 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1921.
States where it is most popular
- CA (51.6 %)
- TX (32.3 %)
- SC (16.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 20 |
| 1940-1950 | 121 |
| 1950-1960 | 204 |
| 1960-1970 | 234 |
| 1970-1980 | 172 |
| 1980-1990 | 68 |
| 1990-2000 | 5 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 6 |
Fun facts
- The term entered Middle English from Middle Dutch 'scipper', meaning the person in charge of a ship.
- Though famously used as Barbie's younger sister, the term has also featured in television as the title for Captain Jonas Grumby on Gilligan's Island.