D.B. Cooper
Unidentified air pirate, unsolved mystery, 1971 airplane hijacking
D.B. Cooper is the alias used by an unidentified man who committed air piracy on November 24, 1971, aboard Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 from Portland to Seattle. The hijacker, who gave his name as Dan Cooper (later misreported as D.B. Cooper), demanded $200,000 in ransom, took several hostages, and jumped from the airplane over the Pacific Northwest with the money, parachuting into the night and vanishing without a trace. The case became one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in American criminal history, capturing public imagination for decades. Despite extensive FBI investigation and numerous theories about Cooper's identity and fate, no conclusive evidence of who he was or what happened to him has ever been confirmed. The case has inspired numerous books, films, documentaries, and amateur investigations, with various theories proposing his identity and ultimate fate. In 2020, the FBI officially closed its active investigation, though public fascination with the case continues. D.B. Cooper has become a folk legend and anti-hero figure in American culture, symbolizing the perfect crime and human mystery. The case represents a unique moment in aviation history and remains a cultural touchstone for discussions of unsolved mysteries.
Bradley Cooper
Award-winning actor, filmmaker, director of 'A Star Is Born'
Anderson Cooper
CNN anchor, investigative journalist, documentary filmmaker
Alice Cooper
Pioneer of shock rock, theatrical rock performer, 'School's Out'
Gary Cooper
Two-time Academy Award winner, Hollywood Golden Age legend
Historical Figure
American
Thinking about the name
Cooper
English origin
“Derived from the Old English occupational name for a barrel-maker or cooper, this name gained prominence as a first name in the 20th century. Cooper carries a skilled, industrious quality while feeling approachable and modern—it's been popularized through film and television, giving it both sophistication and everyman appeal. It balances tradition with contemporary usage beautifully.”