Which fictional character inspired the name Starbucks?

The fictional character Starbuck inspired the name Starbucks.

Starbuck is the chief mate aboard the Pequod in Herman Melville’s 1851 novel Moby-Dick. The name was chosen because the company’s founders wanted a distinctive maritime association for their coffee business.

The founders originally considered names connected with mining and the Pacific Northwest. A graphic designer and branding discussion brought attention to an old map showing “Starbo,” a location near Mount Rainier. That sound was connected with Starbuck, producing the final company name.

A common mix-up is thinking Starbucks was named after a real founder or an actual coffee term. The name refers to Melville’s fictional first mate, while the company’s nautical identity also influenced its early siren imagery.