Occupational Names

Baxter

English occupational name

"baker"

An x makes any name cooler, so that Baxter has a bit more pizzazz than the original Baker. Baxter had some currency as a first name a century ago--it was on the popularity lists sporadically from…

Jeter

French or German surname

"throw away; foundling; jet"

Jeter, which of course is used as a first name only because of Yankee star Derek, rhymes with Peter and may be derived from the French surname Jette, which was often bestowed on foundlings because it…

Brogan

Irish

"small shoe"

Brogan is a cheerful Irish surname that would fit right in with the Logans and Br-starting names now trendy for boys. It's been on the pop list for the past three years, though it's sliding again.…

Wheeler

English occupational name

"wheel maker"

Wheeler is one of the most energetic of the newly stylish occupational names, all those 'e's giving it a friendly, freewheeling sound. Wheeler has some historical cred via the nineteenth Vice…

Sutter

English surname and occupational name

"shoemaker"

Sutter is a new entry to the fashionable class of occupational surnames, brought to the fore by the hero of the 2013 indie film The Spectacular Now. More masculine than Sutton and more distinctive…

Rider

English

"horseman"

Rider is a rock-and-roll baby name, in every sense of the term, though usually spelled Ryder, as in the sons of Kate Hudson and John Leguizamo.

Stewart

Scottish

"steward"

This ancient royal Scottish name and its equally-correct spelling French variation Stuart had a brief vogue in midcentury America--it was Number 286 in 1955--dropped off the list completely in the…

Becker

German

"baker"

One of the less common members of the currently popular craftsmen's guild, Becker once had a self-named sitcom, and is also associated with Wimbleton tennis legend Boris Becker.

Priest

Occupational name

An extreme example of the newly possible ecclesiastical brotherhood that includes Deacon and Bishop. This one might work better in the middle spot.

Wright

Wright is a masculine name that originated as an English occupational surname referring to a craftsman or builder—specifically a woodworker or carpenter (from the Old English "wyrhta," meaning…

Brenner

German

"to burn"

Brenner is an occupational surname for both a charcoal burner and a distiller of spirits. One of the least used of occupational surnames, it has that 'er' ending that definitely adds to its…

Sherman

English occupational name

"shearer of woolen cloth"

Not quite as over-the-hill as Herman, but not far behind either.

Sumner

English occupational name

"summoner"

Billionaire Sumner Redstone, the nonagenarian owner of CBS and Viacom, practically has a monopoly on his first name — for now. But Hunter, Asher, and Ryder have ushered in a major vogue "-er" names,…

Fuller

English surname

"cloth cleanser"

An occupational surname that hasn't made the limelight like Carter, Baker, etc., but is equally stylish.

Thayer

French variation of Taylor

"tailor"

Thayer is an affable, less-common alternative to Taylor, with a much more indirect connection to its occupational source. Actor Thayer David (born David Thayer: Thayer was his father's first name)…

Webster

English occupational name

"weaver"

Webster is one of several W-starting surname names back on the drawing board, now that it has recovered from its childlike eighties sitcom identity. Webster was used in respectable numbers in the…

Fowler

Fowler is a masculine name of English origin that began as an occupational surname. It originally referred to a person who hunted wild birds or was a bird-catcher (from the Old English 'fugelere').…

Warden

Warden is a masculine English occupational name derived from Old Northern French and Middle English 'wardein,' meaning 'guardian' or 'keeper.' Historically, a warden was someone responsible for…