Pirate Name Generator
Generate names by pirate style and length. Copy all or download.
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🏴☠️ Pirate Name Generator - Complete Guide
Generate authentic pirate names inspired by the Golden Age of Piracy (1650-1730). Choose from Captain, Buccaneer, or Privateer styles. Perfect for Talk Like a Pirate Day, costume parties, D&D campaigns, or creative writing projects.
Pirate Name Styles
- Captain: Formal titles like "Captain Jack Sparrow" - leaders of pirate ships
- Buccaneer: Caribbean pirates with colorful epithets like "Blackbeard"
- Privateer: Licensed pirates working for governments (Sir Francis Drake)
Pirate Name Components
🎭 Epithets
Black, Red, Crimson, Silver, Scarlet, Golden, Iron, Storm, Blood, Grim
⚓ Descriptors
Beard, Hook, Blade, Fang, Eye, Scar, Skull, Shadow, Saber, Anchor
👤 First Names
Jack, Anne, Mary, Edward, Henry, Charles, Grace, Morgan, Isla
📜 Surnames
Rackham, Black, Bonny, Drake, Teach, Vane, Roberts, Flint, Sparrow
Famous Historical Pirates
| Name | Era | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Blackbeard (Edward Teach) | 1716-1718 | Terrifying appearance, Queen Anne's Revenge |
| Anne Bonny | 1719-1720 | Female pirate, fierce fighter |
| Calico Jack Rackham | 1718-1720 | Jolly Roger flag design |
| Bartholomew Roberts | 1719-1722 | Most successful pirate (400+ ships) |
Use Cases
Talk Like a Pirate Day
September 19th - get your pirate name ready! Arrr!
D&D & RPGs
Create swashbuckler characters for Ghosts of Saltmarsh or pirate campaigns.
Creative Writing
Name characters for pirate fiction, historical novels, or fan fiction.
Costume Parties
Complete your pirate costume with an authentic-sounding name.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between pirates and privateers?
Pirates operated illegally for personal gain. Privateers had government licenses (Letters of Marque) to attack enemy ships during wartime - essentially legal pirates.
Were there really female pirates?
Yes! Anne Bonny, Mary Read, and Ching Shih were famous female pirates. Ching Shih commanded over 300 ships and 40,000 pirates.
What does "Jolly Roger" mean?
The skull-and-crossbones flag. "Jolly Roger" may come from French "joli rouge" (pretty red) or English slang for the devil.
Did pirates really say "Arrr"?
Not historically! The "pirate accent" comes from Robert Newton's 1950 Treasure Island film. Real pirates spoke various languages.
Pirate Slang Dictionary
- Ahoy: Hello / Hey there
- Avast: Stop / Pay attention
- Landlubber: Someone unfamiliar with the sea
- Scallywag: Rascal / Troublemaker
- Shiver me timbers: Expression of surprise
- Davy Jones' Locker: The bottom of the sea (death)