Pirate names like Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, and Anne Bonny have become legendary. These infamous figures ruled the seas, plundering ships and striking fear into sailors.
Some, like Bartholomew Roberts, were ruthless and cunning, while others, like Stede Bonnet, were unusual aristocrats-turned-pirates. Women like Mary Read and Anne Bonny disguised themselves as men to fight alongside their crews.
Fictional pirates, such as Captain Jack Sparrow and Long John Silver, added adventure and mystery to pirate lore. Some pirates, like Henry Morgan, were privateers with government approval, while others, like Charles Vane, defied all laws.
Best 15 Pirate Names
1. Blackbeard
Blackbeard, born Edward Teach around 1680, was one of the most feared pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy. He commanded the Queen Anne’s Revenge, a formidable warship, and terrorized the American colonies and the Caribbean.
Known for his fearsome appearance, he would tie slow-burning fuses into his thick black beard, creating a terrifying image of smoke and fire. His ruthless tactics and strategic mind made him a dominant figure, though he rarely killed captives.
Blackbeard blockaded Charleston, South Carolina, in 1718, demanding medical supplies before retreating. That same year, he was hunted down by Lieutenant Robert Maynard of the Royal Navy in a fierce battle.
2. Captain Kidd (William Kidd)
Captain William Kidd, born around 1654 in Scotland, was initially a privateer hired to hunt pirates. However, his career took a dramatic turn when he was accused of piracy himself. Sailing the Adventure Galley, he captured the Quedagh Merchant, a valuable Armenian ship, in 1698.
This act led to his downfall, as British authorities considered it an unlawful act of piracy. He attempted to prove his innocence, but his political enemies ensured he was scapegoated.
Kidd was arrested in Boston in 1699, sent to England, and put on trial. Despite his defense that he had attacked only enemy ships, he was found guilty of piracy and murder.
3. Bartholomew Roberts (Black Bart)
Bartholomew Roberts, known as “Black Bart,” was one of the most successful pirates of the Golden Age. Born in Wales in 1682, he turned to piracy after being captured by pirates in 1719. Unlike many pirates, Roberts was highly disciplined, enforcing strict codes of conduct among his crew.
He captured over 400 ships, making him one of the most formidable figures of his time. Roberts’ daring exploits extended from the Caribbean to West Africa, where he plundered merchant vessels and naval ships alike.
He was known for his flamboyant dress, often wearing a scarlet coat and feathered hat. His luck ran out in 1722 when the British Navy, led by Captain Chaloner Ogle, ambushed his ship. In the ensuing battle, Roberts was killed by grapeshot.
4. Anne Bonny
Anne Bonny was a fearless Irish pirate who became infamous during the early 18th century. Born around 1697, she was the daughter of a wealthy lawyer but rejected a conventional life.
She married a small-time pirate and moved to the Bahamas, where she met the pirate Calico Jack Rackham. She joined his crew, disguising herself as a man during raids. Bonny proved to be a skilled fighter, taking part in numerous battles.
She later formed a close bond with fellow female pirate Mary Read, and the two fought bravely together. In 1720, their ship was captured by the British Navy. Unlike their male crewmates, who surrendered, Bonny and Read fiercely resisted.
5. Mary Read
Mary Read was one of the few female pirates to gain notoriety during the Golden Age of Piracy. Born in England around 1685, she was disguised as a boy by her mother to claim an inheritance. She continued to live as a man, eventually joining the British military.
After her military career, she became a pirate when her ship was captured by buccaneers. Read later joined Calico Jack’s crew, where she met Anne Bonny. The two women, disguised as men, fought alongside their male crewmates in battles.
Read was known for her bravery, even dueling and killing men who insulted her. In 1720, she was captured and sentenced to death, but her execution was postponed as she was pregnant.
6. Calico Jack (John Rackham)
Calico Jack Rackham was a pirate famous for his colorful clothing and his association with Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Born around 1682, he gained the nickname “Calico Jack” due to his preference for calico fabric.
He started as a quartermaster under Charles Vane but later took over as captain after a mutiny. His crew was known for attacking small merchant ships in the Caribbean, focusing on swift, strategic strikes rather than brute force.
Rackham’s most famous legacy is the Jolly Roger flag—a skull with crossed swords—now synonymous with piracy. In 1720, his ship was ambushed by the British Navy. While Rackham and most of his crew surrendered, Anne Bonny and Mary Read fought until the end.
7. Charles Vane
Charles Vane was one of the most ruthless and defiant pirates of the early 18th century. Born around 1680, he terrorized the Caribbean and refused to submit to royal pardons offered to pirates.
He gained a reputation for his cruelty, often torturing prisoners. Vane was one of the few pirates who escaped capture multiple times. In 1718, he famously escaped from the Royal Navy by setting a fire ship upon them.
His downfall came when his crew mutinied and left him stranded on an island. He was later captured and taken to Jamaica, where he was hanged in 1721. Unlike many pirates who sought wealth, Vane seemed to enjoy the chaos of piracy itself.
8. Henry Morgan
Henry Morgan was one of the most successful and feared privateers of the 17th century. Born in Wales around 1635, he was commissioned by the English government to attack Spanish ships and settlements in the Caribbean.
Unlike many pirates, Morgan operated legally as a privateer, though his actions were often as ruthless as any outlaw. He led daring raids on Spanish strongholds, including the infamous sack of Panama in 1671, where his forces looted and burned the city.
Despite being arrested for his actions, Morgan was later knighted by King Charles II and became the Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. He spent his later years living as a wealthy plantation owner in Port Royal.
9. Jean Lafitte
Jean Lafitte was a French pirate and privateer who operated in the Gulf of Mexico during the early 19th century. Born around 1780, he and his brother Pierre established a pirate colony in Barataria Bay, Louisiana.
Lafitte was both a smuggler and a businessman, running an illicit trade network that supplied goods to New Orleans. He played a crucial role in the War of 1812, aiding General Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans by providing weapons and men to fight the British.
In return, he received a pardon from the U.S. government. However, he soon returned to piracy, establishing a new base in Texas. By the 1820s, he had vanished, with rumors suggesting he died in battle or disappeared into obscurity.
10. Stede Bonnet
Stede Bonnet was known as the “Gentleman Pirate” due to his unusual background. Born into a wealthy Barbados family in 1688, he was a former plantation owner who turned to piracy despite having no prior experience at sea.
He purchased a ship, the Revenge, and attempted to lead a pirate crew, though he lacked naval skills. Bonnet eventually allied with Blackbeard, who temporarily took command of his ship.
After a failed attempt to retire from piracy, he returned to the sea but was captured by the British Navy in 1718. Despite multiple escape attempts, he was ultimately convicted and hanged in Charleston, South Carolina.
11. Captain Jack Sparrow
Captain Jack Sparrow, portrayed by Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean, is one of the most iconic fictional pirates. Known for his cunning, wit, and unpredictable nature, he captains the Black Pearl and constantly seeks adventure.
Unlike traditional pirates, Jack prefers to outsmart his enemies rather than engage in brute force. His eccentric behavior, slurred speech, and unpredictable movements hide a brilliant mind capable of devising ingenious escape plans.
He is obsessed with freedom and the pursuit of treasure, particularly the cursed Aztec gold and the Fountain of Youth. Despite his selfish tendencies, Jack often displays moments of heroism, forming unlikely alliances.
12. Long John Silver
Long John Silver is the cunning, one-legged pirate from Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel Treasure Island. Unlike stereotypical bloodthirsty pirates, Silver is a master manipulator, using charm and intelligence to achieve his goals.
He initially appears as a friendly cook aboard the Hispaniola but is later revealed as the leader of the pirate mutiny. His character is both ruthless and likable, possessing a sharp wit and an ability to adapt to any situation.
Silver forms a complicated relationship with young Jim Hawkins, mentoring him while also pursuing his selfish desires. Despite his treachery, he is not purely evil—he shows a surprising degree of affection for Jim and values survival over blind violence.
13. Davy Jones
Davy Jones is a legendary figure in pirate lore, often associated with the phrase “Davy Jones’ Locker,” meaning the bottom of the sea. In Pirates of the Caribbean, he is depicted as the monstrous captain of the Flying Dutchman, cursed to ferry lost souls to the afterlife.
With his octopus-like face, crab-like claw, and tentacle beard, Jones is both terrifying and tragic. Once a man in love, he was betrayed and cursed, turning him into a heartless sea demon.
He commands a crew of doomed sailors, transforming them into grotesque sea creatures over time. His heart, locked in a chest, makes him nearly invincible. Despite his ruthless nature, he is driven by pain and lost love.
14. Captain Hook
Captain Hook, the infamous villain from Peter Pan, is one of the most famous fictional pirates. As the nemesis of Peter Pan, he commands the Jolly Roger and terrorizes Neverland. His most distinctive feature is his steel hook, replacing the hand he lost to a crocodile—an event that fuels his deep fear of the creature.
Hook is a flamboyant yet ruthless captain, obsessed with defeating Peter Pan and his Lost Boys. Despite his villainous nature, he is a sophisticated pirate, valuing good manners and despising incompetence.
In many adaptations, he is portrayed with humor, making him both menacing and amusing. His crew, led by the bumbling Mr. Smee, often fails him, adding to his frustration. Captain Hook represents the classic, theatrical pirate—dressed in elaborate coats, wielding a rapier, and speaking in grandiose language.
15. Captain Flint
Captain Flint is a legendary pirate, first introduced in Treasure Island (1883) by Robert Louis Stevenson. Though he never appears directly in the novel, his legacy looms large as the feared captain of the Walrus, a ship notorious for plundering the seas.
Flint is best known for amassing an enormous treasure, which he buried on Skeleton Island (later called Treasure Island) before dying in Savannah, Georgia.
Described as ruthless and cunning, Flint’s cruelty was unmatched—he killed his crew to keep the treasure’s location secret. His most loyal crewman, Long John Silver, revered and feared him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pirate Names
Who was the most feared pirate in history?
Blackbeard (Edward Teach) was one of the most feared pirates due to his intimidating appearance, violent reputation, and strategic use of fear in battle.
Were female pirates common?
Female pirates were rare but not unheard of. Anne Bonny and Mary Read were among the most famous female pirates who disguised themselves as men to fight alongside male crew members.
What was the Jolly Roger flag used for?
The Jolly Roger, typically a skull and crossbones, was used by pirates to strike fear into their victims and signal that surrender was the only option.
Did pirates bury treasure?
The idea of buried treasure comes from pirate legends, but historical evidence suggests that most pirates spent or traded their loot rather than burying it.
What was “Davy Jones’ Locker”?
“Davy Jones’ Locker” is a mythical term referring to the bottom of the ocean, where drowned sailors and sunken ships are believed to rest.
Conclusion
Pirates have fascinated people for centuries. Some were ruthless criminals, while others were clever strategists. Legends like Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and Captain Kidd shaped history.
Fictional pirates like Captain Jack Sparrow and Long John Silver added adventure to stories. Pirates lived dangerous lives, constantly battling for survival. Many met tragic ends, captured or killed by authorities. Others, like Henry Morgan, retired wealthy and respected.
The Golden Age of Piracy ended as governments cracked down. Still, pirate myths and legends live on. Movies, books, and folklore keep their stories alive. People are drawn to their rebellious spirit and quest for freedom. Symbols like the Jolly Roger remain iconic.
