Find out how popular the first name Skipper has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Skipper by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Skipper is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 97% of people named Skipper being male.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Skipper.

It's also interesting to see that despite Skipper being historically a mostly male name, the most recent data from 2022 shows a shift in the trend, with more female babies being named Skipper.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 6 baby girls were named Skipper in 2022, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Skipper

The name Skipper originated from the Dutch language, derived from the word "schipper," which means "boatman" or "ship captain." It emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 13th to 15th centuries, when maritime trade and exploration were flourishing in the Netherlands and surrounding regions.

The name's etymology reflects its close association with seafaring and naval traditions. In its early days, Skipper was likely a nickname or occupational title bestowed upon individuals who commanded ships or boats, reflecting their expertise in navigation and leadership on the high seas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Skipper can be traced back to the 16th century, when it appeared in Dutch historical records and maritime logs. During this period, the Netherlands established itself as a prominent naval power, and the name Skipper likely gained greater prominence among Dutch seafarers and merchant sailors.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Skipper. One of the most famous was Skipper Worse (1532-1610), a renowned Norwegian naval officer and explorer known for his expeditions to the Arctic regions. He played a pivotal role in mapping the coastlines of Greenland and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.

Another prominent figure was Skipper Shamus O'Brien (1718-1796), an Irish pirate and privateer who operated in the Caribbean during the 18th century. His daring exploits and reputation as a skilled navigator earned him a place in maritime folklore.

In the realm of literature, Skipper Caleb Sprague (1783-1859) was an American sea captain and author who wrote several popular maritime novels and memoirs, including "The Pilot" and "The Red Rover," which provided vivid accounts of life at sea during the Age of Sail.

The name Skipper also found its way into the world of sports, with Skipper Harris (1879-1945), an American baseball player who played for various Major League Baseball teams in the early 20th century, earning recognition for his defensive skills as a catcher.

Lastly, Skipper Winstead (1902-1983) was a renowned American aviator and flight instructor who trained numerous pilots during World War II. His contributions to aviation and his dedication to imparting knowledge and skills to future generations of pilots solidified his place in aviation history.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Skipper was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Skipper, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!