Is Private's name really Private and is Skipper's really Skipper?

It seems likely that they could have changed their names or nicknames before they entered the "force". Like, Private was known as Mr. Tux back in the days, but not when he is with the rest of the team. Skipper is different; Hans called him Skipper when he came back to see him, but by then he could have already changed his name.

It's so wierd... Rico is the only one with a normal name, because Skipper and Private are names from the military or being a boat captain, and Kowalski is usually a last/ middle name from Poland. Those Madagascar creators. XD

I think too that Private's just called Private since he's in the penguin squad. Bevore, it was Mr. Tux... I think, the same could be with Skippper... (his Alias-portfolio). And I totally agree with you, iLikeKowalski - which parent would name their kind that he'll never bring it to something... but Skipper... I don't know, I think it could be his real name... he's just by heart a real Skipper!

"His name was Rico, he wore a diamond, he was escorted to his chair, he saw Lola dancin' there, and when she finished......." XD

A skipper is some kind of marine leader. A private is a normal soldier. A kowalski is the one who comes with the plans and should be leader instead but he doesn't realise this, it's also a Polish surname. A rico steals your girlfriend, but is also a normal name, usualy short for Ricardo.

× I don't know. I know that in "Tangled in the Web", the fish called Private Private. And Mr. Tux could've been Private's nickname. But there's no way to know for sure which name Private was hatched with.

Actually, I think Skipper's name is just a normal person's/penguin's name. I have heard of people who are named Skipper before. Another theory is that it might be an alias or that he changed his birth name to Skipper to hide his real name (take note his experience in Denmark and in the "Fit to Print" episode where he assigned names to his team mates when their operation was about to be behold in public just to hide their identities).

In Private's case, it is irregular for someone to be named like that. Must be a nickname to hide his true identity, or protection.

In Kowalsi and Rico's names, that's another topic. Sometimes it is regular to name someone with a surname or last name, like in my country, in Kowalski's state. As for Rico, he's the one with the most normal name among the bunch as Rico is nationwide first name from where I come from.

So, their names are mysteries, but as Skipper says, "You didn't see anything!"

I don't know but I think Private real name is Walter because in "M.A.S.H." I've noticed that Radar reminds me SOO much about Private, it's scary and Radars real name is Walter. as for Skipper I think I read somewhere that his real name is John but i'm not sure

Well when the Madagascar posters were released, they originally were going to name Skipper as Joe Penguin...

well, i know Privates name isnt Private because on the episode: Concrete Jungle Survival, skipper said his rank if Private first class, but we'll still CALL you Privtate. so his name went by the rank , but as for Skipper... i really dont know, it might be the same for Skipper.

I think that "Skipper" and "Private" are both first names, but I'll admit that there have been times where I've wondered slightly. There have been times where Skipper has been referred to as "the skipper" (small "s") and Private as "the private" (small "p"), which invokes their ranks and not their names. Still, the penguins seem to all be on a first name basis -- Kowalski is rarely ever referred to by rank and Rico never has been.

Therefore, I think I can say that Skipper and Private are 80 percent likely to be first names -- perhaps even higher because I want them to be.

I know Private is Private's first name, because in one episode Skipper was checking to see if Private was ok, and Private answered his rank, name, and biggest secret as "private".

And I'd assume Skipper is the same. If Skipper was nothing more than his rank, then I don't think they'd call him "Skipper" and "the skipper". I think the fact they've refered to him by both tells that Skipper isn't just a rank for him.

They are repetitve character names from the past...strong images

Skipper - Gilligans Island
Kowalski - Voyage to the bottom of the Sea
Rico-Starship Troopers
Private - Radar MASH

Well, on a poster promoting the first movie, Skipper was named as "Joe Penguin" in a begining, however in the release of the movie that name was scrapped and he was called just "Skipper" until now, about Private i think they called that way because Skipper, Rico and Kowalski Don't knew a proper name for him and since they were playing "spies or commandos" when they found him, they called Private for that.

P.s. Sorry for my creppy english. XD