Names That Mean Merchant

  1. Mercer
    • Origin:

      French occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "a merchant"
    • Description:

      Mercer is an attractive possibility which is an occupational name that doesn't sound like one. Mercer and its cool, sophisticated short form Merce project a super creative image via their artistic namesakes.
  2. Kanan
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Sanskrit, Azerbaijani, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "merchant; woods, grove; variant of Canaa; low, humble"
    • Description:

      Kanan is multicultural name with a number of different origins, making it a versatile choice that travels well. A Top 50 choice in Azerbaijan, Kanan also made a brief appearance in the US Top 1000 in 2022. Given to around 200 boys each year, it feels familiar and rare at the same time.
  3. Mercer
    • Origin:

      French occupational surname
    • Meaning:

      "a merchant"
    • Description:

      Mercer is one fashionable occupational name that can work as well for girls as boys, perhaps because of the soft c or the conventionally feminine nickname Mercy.
  4. Chapman
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "merchant"
    • Description:

      Chapman is derived from céapmann, an Old English occupational name for a merchant or marketman. The slang word "chap" came from chapman — which was also used as a term for a customer in 17th and 18th century England.
  5. Merce
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Mercer
    • Meaning:

      "a merchant"
    • Description:

      Merce Cunningham (born with the French version Mercier) was a highly influential avant garde dancer-choreographer and his name still resonates with an aura of bold originality.  
  6. Draper
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "cloth merchant"
    • Description:

      Other occupational names would be more commonly accepted, though the Mad Men character has certainly brought it to the fore.
  7. Merce
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Mercer
    • Meaning:

      "a merchant"
    • Description:

      Merce feels masculine because of its associate with (male) dancer and choreographer Merce Cunningham, but it could also be short for Mercy -- which in the end would be a much better choice for a little girl.