Baker, Miller, Hunter
Many of us can recall at least one person with a surname tied to a profession. These names not only serve as family names but have also gained popularity as first names over the years.
In medieval European villages, individuals often used surnames that described their occupations to differentiate themselves from one another. While the practical function of these names has diminished, many have transformed into beloved given names.
Occupational names are typically gender-neutral, though they have historically been more common for boys. A notable example of an occupational name for girls is Piper, which refers to someone who plays the flute or pipe. For boys, the name Mason, meaning “stoneworker,” is a favorite choice among parents.
Below, we’ve curated a list of occupational baby names for both girls and boys. While most are traditionally masculine, there are several feminine options as well. Gender-neutral (unisex) names are indicated with a (u).
Occupational baby names for girls
- Amma: “maid”
- Bailey (u): “bailiff,” “law enforcer”
- Baxter: “female baker”
- Chandler (u): “candle seller”
- Clarke: “scribe,” “cleric”
- Dajana: “nurse”
- Devina: “poet”
- Georgia: “farmer,” “earthworker”
- Harper (u): “harp player”
- Hunter (u): “huntress”
- Paige: “page,” “servant”
- Piper: “flute/pipe player”
- Parker (u): “keeper of the park”
- Riya: “singer”
- Saylor: “acrobat,” “dancer,” “sailor,” “boat woman”
- Theresa: “huntress,” “harvester”
- Taylor (u): “tailor”
Occupational baby boy names
- Abbott: “abbot,” “priest”
- Archer: “bowman,” “archer”
- Bailey (u): “bailiff,” “law enforcer”
- Baker: “baker”
- Booker: “maker of books,” “dealer of books”
- Cain: “craftsman,” “smith,” “minister,” “administrator”
- Carter: “one who uses a cart,” “transporter of goods by cart”
- Cash: “maker of chests,” “box maker”
- Chandler (u): “candle seller”
- Clark: “scribe,” “cleric”
- Cohen: “priest”
- Cooper: “barrel maker”
- Deacon: “deacon,” “servant,” “messenger”
- Dean: “dean”
- Delyan: “business,” “work”
- Devin (u): “poet”
- Dexter: “one who dyes”
- Fisher: “fisherman”
- Fletcher: “maker of arrows”
- Gage: “assayer,” “moneylender”
- Bundi & George: “farmer,” “earthworker”
- Harith: “he who digs the earth,” “plowman” or “cultivator”
- Harper (u): “harp player”
- Hunter (u): “hunter”
- Jari: “helmeted warrior”
- Knight: “knight,” “mounted soldier”
- Lany (u): “servant”
- Marangoz: “carpenter,” “joiner”
- Marshall: “stableman”
- Mason: “stoneworker”
- Mercer: “merchant,” “trader”
- Miller & Myles: “miller”
- Milow: “soldier”
- Parker (u): “keeper of the park”
- Pepin: “grower or gardener of fruit trees”
- Porter: “doorkeeper”
- Ryder: “mounted warrior,” “horseman,” “messenger on horseback”
- Sailor (u): “acrobat,” “dancer,” “sailor,” “boat man”
- Sawyer: “sawer of wood”
- Shepherd: “sheep herder”
- Slater: “slate worker”
- Smith: “blacksmith,” “metal worker”
- Spencer: “dispenser of provisions”
- Stringer: “maker of strings,” “maker of bow strings”
- Stuart: “steward,” “house keeper”
- Sumner: “one who serves a summons,” “summoner”
- Tadhg: “poet”
- Tanner: “one who tans hides”
- Taylor (u): “tailor”
- Thatcher: “roof thatcher”
- Travis: “collector of tolls”
- Tucker: “cloth fuller”
- Turner: “one who works with a lathe”
- Venanzio: “hunter”
- Walker: “cloth-walker,” “fuller of cloths”
- Ward: “watchman,” “guardian”
- Webster: “weaver”
For more naming inspiration, check out our articles on The Most Beautiful Palindrome Names, Girl Names and Their Unique Meanings or Beautiful Boy Names with Unique Meanings
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Last updated: 10/16/2024
