From an article titled “Box Office Shocker” at the Hollywood Reporter:
Early on, there was a debate within Paramount and Marvel as to whether having Captain America in the title would be off-putting to international distributors, and so the studio offered an alternative title, The First Avenger.
Cripps turned out to be correct in his hunch that the Captain America character has such strong brand recognition — the comic books have been published in at least 75 countries — that foreign distributors would happily choose Captain America: The First Avenger.
Only three countries opted for The First Avenger — Russia, Ukraine and South Korea. Everywhere else, it’s being released as Captain America: The First Avenger. …
Defying perception, Paramount and Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The First Avenger has now earned more overseas than in North America
To date, the superhero tentpole has grossed $178 million internationally, compared to $173.5 million at the domestic box office. The overseas tally includes a strong $5 million opening in China over the Sept. 9-11 weekend.
It’s hardly uncommon for a summer event pic — and especially a 3D title — to do bigger business internationally, but many assumed Captain America wouldn’t play as well among foreign audiences because of its title.
Full story here.