Hi JR,
Without a screen shot, it's not clear what you want and what you are seeing.
Suggestion:
- Click any cell in the table to activate the table and display the row and column reference tabs.
- Click the circle at the intersection of the row and column reference tabs to select the Table.
- Open the Table section of the Format Inspector in the right sidebar.
- Click the Table Name checkbox to toggle it to 'checked' to show the Table Name (Table 1) above the table

- Double click the Table Name to select it, then enter the title you want for the table.
"Every time I try it is numbering my title as 1"
Clarify, please. Where have you placed your title? Where does the number "1" display?
"…with the numbered columns starting with 2 and so on."
As can be seen in the two screen shots above, Numbers assigns Row Numbers to the table's rows and Column Letters to the table's columns.
In the tables shown, row 1 has been defined as a Header Row, and column A has been defined as a Header column. The colour fill in each case is to indicate that these are not 'standard body rows and columns,' and have the additional properties assigned to Header rows and Header columns. Any values in these rows and columns is placed there by the user, or by a formula placed there by the user.
Where does this fit into what you have described?
Regards,
Barry