It is a well-known fact that Eiichiro Oda has based many of his One Piece characters on real-life pirates. Oda has not only used their names, but he has occasionally described their stories as well. The way Oda represents these tales is often quite magnificent.
Obviously, the fans don't know each and every character who is based on a real-life pirate. So in order to help with that, we have made a list of ten characters who have connections to real-life pirates, even if it just sharing a name. Without further ado, let's begin.
10 Alvida
The first name on the list is that of Alvida. Alvida is one of the very first antagonists in One Piece. She was quite heavy when she made her debut, but her appearance changed entirely when she ate the Sube Sube no Mi. The devil fruit toned her down and she gained slippery skin as a result.
Alvida is based on Alfhildr, who was a Danish princess. Alfhildr is also spelled "Alwida." She was the daughter of Siward in 9th century Denmark. Alwida ran away from home after her father had selected a suitor for her. Alwida left her home and formed a pirate group with Groa (another lady pirate).
9 Jewelry Bonney
She is the captain of Bonney Pirates and a member of the Worst Generation. Bonney's life is filled with problems. She is wanted by the World Government for some reason, and they won't stop until they capture her. Bonney is based on a rather popular pirate known as Anne Bonney.
Anne Bonney was a popular female pirate from the 18th Century. Bonney discarded her normal life in order to enjoy the thrill that came with the pirate life. Bonney was caught by the Navy but it is unclear what happened to her. According to some sources, Anne was bailed out by her father.
8 Bellamy
Bellamy made his appearance during the Jaya arc. He was very fond of Donquixote Doflamingo, and he wanted to be a part of Doflamingo's group. Bellamy clashed vs Luffy twice, losing both encounters rather easily.
Bellamy is based on a pirate named Samuel Bellamy, although he was quite the opposite of Bellamy. Unlike his One Piece counterpart, Samuel Bellamy was calm and collected. He was nowhere as cruel as Bellamy.
7 Bartholomew Kuma
Kuma is a former Shichibukai. He used to be a member of the Revolutionary Army, but he gave up being a Revolutionary for some reason and decided to become a pawn of the World Government. He willingly signed up to become a lab rat for Dr. Vegapunk.
Kuma possesses the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi, which is a paramecia type devil fruit. He is very liked based on Bartholomew "Black Bart" Roberts. Unlike Kuma, Roberts was a malevolent person. He was known for plundering and burning ships. It has been stated that he looted over 400 ships when he was still alive.
6 Laffitte
Laffitte is one of the commanders of the Blackbeard Pirates and one of Blackbeard's most trusted men. Lafitte is based on a pirate named Jean Lafitte. Both have one thing in common, as they used to work for the government.
Laffitte was a police officer, but he was fired after he used excess violence. On the other hand, Jean Lafitte helped out the government once. He supplied them with his men and ammunition. However, it was only temporary as he soon started his illegal activities once again.
5 Sadie
Many people might be shocked to find Sadie on the list, but she has also been inspired by a real-life pirate. Sadie is the chief jailor of Impel Down. She was one of the main antagonists of the Impel Down arc. She is a sadist and enjoys feasting on the screams of her victims.
Sadie is likely based on Sadie the Goat, who was a notorious pirate. She was known for being violent and enjoyed inflicting pain on her foes. She had own crew and attacked countless ships. The two share a desire to cause pain to other people.
4 Silvers Rayleigh
Known as the "Dark King," Rayleigh is one of the strongest characters in One Piece. Rayleigh was a member of Roger Pirates, who were considered the worst pirate crew in the world. Even in his old age, Rayleigh is considered a threat by the World Government.
Rayleigh has enough strength to hold off an Admiral on his own. He has all three types of Haki, which is incredibly rare. Rayleigh is based on an Englishman named Sir Walter Rayleigh, who was one of the most popular people during the Elizabethan Era.
3 Marshall D. Teach
Marshall D. Teach or Blackbeard is one of the Four Emperors of the sea. Blackbeard's rise to power is incredible. He remained loyal to Whitebeard until he got his hands on the Yami Yami no Mi, then he killed Thatch and ran away.
Blackbeard became a Shichibukai after he handed over Ace to the World Government. He also killed Whitebeard and later gained the status of a Yonko. A lot of things about Blackbeard still remain a mystery. He is based on a real-life pirate known as Edward Teach. Edward Teach is arguably the most well-known pirate in history.
2 Roronoa Zoro
Roronoa Zoro is the right-hand man of Luffy. Zoro joined the crew after Luffy saved him from being executed. He respects Luffy as his captain and is willing to lay down his life for his captain. Zoro has his own dream and that is to become the strongest swordsman in the world.
Zoro is still miles off from his target, but he is training very hard to achieve his goal. Oda was probably inspired by François l’ Ollonais when he decided to create Zoro.
1 Eustass Kid
The final character to feature on the list is Eustass Kid. Eustass Kid is one of the members of One Piece's Worst Generation and has a bounty of over 400 million beris.
Kid possesses an unnamed devil fruit that grants him power over the forces of attraction and repulsion. For Kid, Oda was probably inspired by Eustace Monk, a French Pirate, and William Kidd, who was a pirate from Scotland.