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Home › Baby Names Directory › Chandler

Chandler

♂ Boy

Pronounced CHAND-ler /ˈtʃænd.lər/High

Meaning: Candle maker or seller; from Old French chandelier (candle merchant), from chandelle (candle)High

In 30 seconds: An Old French occupational surname meaning 'candle maker' or 'candle seller.' Known through novelist Raymond Chandler and Friends character Chandler Bing, whose sardonic humor made the name synonymous with clever irony.
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Origin HighEnglish, French
MeaningCandle maker or seller; from Old French chandelier (candle merchant), from chandelle (candle)
U.S. rank (2025)#753 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births342 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1999
Total births (all-time)≈ 36,489

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199919002025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Chandler is an English occupational surname from Old French chandelier (candle merchant), from chandelle (candle). Chandlers were important tradespeople who supplied candles (the primary light source before electricity) and sometimes dealt in provisions generally.

Chandler entered the U.S. boys' charts prominently in the 1990s–2000s, boosted by the Friends character. It ranked #738 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Raymond Chandler (1888–1959) essentially invented the modern hard-boiled detective novel with Philip Marlowe — and his Chandler-as-surname association means the name carries a permanent literary association with cynical urban wisdom.
Overall data confidence 94%
Behind the Name — Chandler — Old French etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

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Nicknames

Chan

Famous Bearers

  • ★Chandler Bing (fictional)
    Character played by Matthew Perry on the sitcom Friends (1994–2004), known for his sardonic humor and self-deprecating wit.

If you like Chandler…

Spencer— occupational surname name in the same polished register
Fletcher— occupational surname name (arrow maker) in the same category
Sawyer— occupational surname name with the same literary associations
Tucker— occupational -er surname name in the same tradition
Cooper— occupational surname name at similar popularity levels

Explore names like Chandler

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Chandler mean?

Chandler means 'candle maker' or 'candle seller,' from Old French chandelier (candle merchant).

How do you pronounce Chandler?

It's said CHAND-ler — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Chandler a boy or girl name?

Chandler is primarily a boys' name.

How popular is Chandler?

Chandler ranked #738 for U.S. boys in 2024.

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