What is the name of the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier?

The first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is indeed the USS Enterprise. Commissioned in 1961, it was a groundbreaking vessel that revolutionized naval aviation and power projection. The USS Enterprise (CVN-65) was notable not only for being the first in its class but also for its significant operational capabilities, which were enhanced by its nuclear propulsion system. This technology allowed the carrier to operate for extended periods without the need for refueling, providing the U.S. Navy with an unprecedented range and endurance.

The other carriers listed—USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, USS Nimitz, and USS Gerald R. Ford—are all important ships in their own right but were commissioned after the USS Enterprise, thus making them conventional powered or part of different classes within the nuclear carrier lineage. The USS Enterprise set the stage for the future of aircraft carriers and remains a significant part of naval history.