Fun Facts About the Name Castor
- 387 babies named Castor: U.S. records list 387 babies given the name Castor from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Castor Mean?
Castor is the English form of the Greek name Κάστωρ (Kastōr), the name of one of the twin Dioscuri of Greek myth. Its meaning is not settled. The explanation repeated most often is "beaver," because the Greek noun κάστωρ names that animal; but the two words having the same form does not show that the personal name grew out of the animal word, and some writers treat both as pre-Greek borrowings. A second explanation connects the name with the Greek verb κέκασμαι (kekasmai), "to excel" or "to shine," giving the sense "he who excels" or "the shining one." Both derivations rest on similarity of sound rather than on a documented line of development, so the name is best described as Greek with an uncertain meaning. The Latin form Castor is taken directly from the Greek and was passed on to modern European languages with little change in spelling.
Castor Name History & Origins
In Greek myth Castor and his twin Polydeuces (Latin Pollux) were sons of Leda of Sparta. In the usual account Castor was the son of her mortal husband Tyndareus, while Polydeuces was the son of Zeus, which made Castor mortal and his brother immortal. Accounts of what followed differ: in one, Zeus brings Castor back to share his brother's immortality; in another, the twins divide their time between the world of the living and the underworld. Either way they were honored together as the Dioscuri, "sons of Zeus," and as the constellation Gemini. They were worshipped especially as protectors of sailors and travelers, and their cult reached Rome early; the Temple of Castor and Pollux in the Roman Forum is traditionally dated to 484 BC. The bright star Castor in Gemini carries the same mythological name.
Castor also came into Christian use through early saints. Castor of Karden, a fourth-century priest and hermit on the Moselle in what is now Germany, was venerated in the Rhineland, and other early Christians named Castor are recorded, including a saint linked with Apt in southern France. In the Greek New Testament the name appears only in reference to the pagan twins: Acts 28:11 describes an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Dioscuri, often rendered "Castor and Pollux." The name survives as a given name in parts of Europe and as a surname in English-speaking countries.
How Popular is the Name Castor?
Castor has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2016. Its best rank was #3,702 in 2016.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #4,734 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 2024 | #6,887 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2023 | #7,359 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2022 | #5,473 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 2021 | #5,372 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 2020 | #4,040 | 25 | 0.0014% |
| 2019 | #4,352 | 23 | 0.0013% |
| 2018 | #4,250 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 2017 | #6,100 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2016 | #3,702 | 29 | 0.0015% |
| 2015 | #5,336 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2014 | #5,094 | 18 | 0.0009% |
| 2013 | #5,201 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2012 | #5,757 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2011 | #7,596 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2010 | #8,253 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2009 | #6,490 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2008 | #9,134 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2007 | #9,046 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2006 | #6,985 | 11 | 0.0005% |
| 2005 | #7,728 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2004 | #10,165 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2003 | #8,801 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2002 | #7,756 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2001 | #7,010 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2000 | #6,384 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1999 | #7,246 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1998 | #5,524 | 11 | 0.0006% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Castor Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are cheerful and friendly, but are apt to have an emotional life. You like to have several lines of effort going at once. You are a good talker and promoter and seldom worry over anything. At times, you can be impatient, and impulsive. You have the ability to bring an idea to completion. You can express yourself joyously and constructively. You might be psychic, but not know it. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Castor's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Castor's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.