Castor

At a Glance

Meaning

Beaver (mythological Gemini twin's name)

Origin

Greek

Gender

Primarily used for boys

Pronunciation

KASS-terListen

Castor is a Greek name whose root means "beaver," and it is also the name of one of the mythological Gemini twins. You may see it said online that Castor means "shining one" or "he who excels," but Wiktionary supports only "beaver" as the attested root.

Meaning & Origin of Castor

Meaning: Beaver (mythological Gemini twin's name).

Origin: Greek.

A common claim: "shining one" or "he who excels" Actually: Wiktionary supports only 'beaver' as the attested root — not 'shining' or 'he who excels.'

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Castor

Popularity of Castor

Castor is a rare pick in the U.S.: it ranked #6887 in 2024, with 12 babies given the name. It peaked at #3702 in 2016 with 29 babies, so it has slipped since then within the 1998-2024 range.

Names Like Castor

These names have followed a similar path to Castor in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Caston
• Vale
• Tyleah
• Canton
• Camdon
• Cylis

FAQ

What does the name Castor mean?

Beaver (mythological Gemini twin’s name). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Castor?

Castor is pronounced KASS-ter (IPA: /ˈkæstər/).

Is Castor a popular name right now?

Castor peaked at #3702 in 2016 and is ranked #6887 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1998–2024.)

Make Castor Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Castor, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.