Given, who turned 30 on Thursday, has been handed the armband for Saturday's clash with West Brom after impressing his manager.
Glenn Roeder: "As a former captain and defender myself, I'm not usually in favour of goalkeepers going out with the skipper's armband because an outfield player is more in contract with the players around him.
"But I have got to know Shay Given very well in the past couple of months and like everyone, I know what tremendous ability he has.
"However, it is not just his ability, but he has huge respect in the dressing room among the players, and that is so important. You have to look for a lot of qualities in a captain and Shay ticks just about all the boxes.
"I believe he will be the first goalkeeper to lead Newcastle out in a Premiership game on Saturday, and I have complete faith in him."