Chandler Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: CHAN-dler //ˈtʃændlər//
Origin: English; French
Meaning: English: 'candle maker'; French: 'to sing'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Chandler has its roots in the Old French word "chandelier," which means "candle maker" or "candle seller." This term itself derives from the Latin "candelarius," which is related to "candela," meaning "candle." The transition of the name into English occurred during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Old French terms were adopted into the English language, particularly in the context of trades and occupations. As a result, Chandler emerged as a surname before it began to be used as a given name in the Middle Ages.
Historically, the name Chandler has been associated with various notable figures and events. In medieval England, it was common for surnames to evolve into first names, particularly among the gentry and nobility.
The name appears in records from the 13th century, where it was often linked to individuals involved in the candle-making trade. Additionally, the name can be found in various historical documents, including the Domesday Book, which provides insights into the occupations of individuals during that period.
The name also gained some prominence through literary works, as it was used by authors and playwrights in the 16th and 17th centuries. Culturally, Chandler has been associated with light and illumination, given its etymological connection to candles.
This association has made it a symbol of guidance and hope in various traditions. The name has also been linked to the concept of hospitality, as candles were often used in homes to welcome guests.
Over time, Chandler has maintained a certain resonance within English-speaking cultures, reflecting the enduring significance of trades and crafts in societal development. The diminutive form "Chan" has also been used informally, though it is less common historically.
Famous people named Chandler
In this section, you will find notable people named Chandler. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Chandler who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Chandler who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Chandler Bing is a fictional character best known for being one of the main characters on the television show Friends.
Chandler Parsons is a former professional basketball player best known for playing with the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, and Memphis Grizzlies.
Fictional characters named Chandler
The following list of fictional characters named Chandler is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Chandler Bing is a fictional character from the TV show Friends. He is known for his sarcastic humor and struggles with commitment in his relationships.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Chandler, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Chandler. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Chandler was first seen in the United States in 1900.
Chandler has ranked as high as #281 nationally, which occurred in 1999, and has been most popular in Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, California, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Chandler has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Chandler is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Chandler was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Chandler (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| GA | 29 | |
| TX | 27 | |
| NC | 24 | |
| FL | 18 | |
| TN | 16 | |
| OH | 16 | |
| SC | 14 | |
| AL | 14 | |
| KY | 14 | |
| LA | 14 | |
| OK | 13 | |
| CA | 11 | |
| NY | 11 | |
| IL | 8 | |
| MO | 8 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Chandler.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 348 |
| 2023 | 390 |
| 2022 | 432 |
| 2021 | 459 |
| 2020 | 490 |
| 2019 | 480 |
| 2018 | 567 |
| 2017 | 595 |
| 2016 | 654 |
| 2015 | 732 |
| 2014 | 730 |
| 2013 | 675 |
| 2012 | 598 |
| 2011 | 615 |
| 2010 | 524 |
| 2009 | 579 |
| 2008 | 608 |
| 2007 | 675 |
| 2006 | 753 |
| 2005 | 870 |
| 2004 | 1,130 |
| 2003 | 1,270 |
| 2002 | 1,417 |
| 2001 | 1,792 |
| 2000 | 2,131 |
| 1999 | 2,395 |
| 1998 | 1,952 |
| 1997 | 1,796 |
| 1996 | 2,186 |
| 1995 | 1,856 |
| 1994 | 704 |
| 1993 | 661 |
| 1992 | 554 |
| 1991 | 468 |
| 1990 | 396 |
| 1989 | 301 |
| 1988 | 224 |
| 1987 | 199 |
| 1986 | 142 |
| 1985 | 120 |
| 1984 | 118 |
| 1983 | 88 |
| 1982 | 90 |
| 1981 | 70 |
| 1980 | 66 |
| 1979 | 70 |
| 1978 | 63 |
| 1977 | 48 |
| 1976 | 66 |
| 1975 | 66 |
| 1974 | 45 |
| 1973 | 58 |
| 1972 | 94 |
| 1971 | 99 |
| 1970 | 103 |
| 1969 | 83 |
| 1968 | 50 |
| 1967 | 50 |
| 1966 | 34 |
| 1965 | 27 |
| 1964 | 31 |
| 1963 | 31 |
| 1962 | 28 |
| 1961 | 31 |
| 1960 | 28 |
| 1959 | 25 |
| 1958 | 22 |
| 1957 | 32 |
| 1956 | 26 |
| 1955 | 23 |
| 1954 | 24 |
| 1953 | 16 |
| 1952 | 17 |
| 1951 | 22 |
| 1950 | 23 |
| 1949 | 21 |
| 1948 | 19 |
| 1947 | 32 |
| 1946 | 22 |
| 1945 | 18 |
| 1944 | 20 |
| 1943 | 23 |
| 1942 | 24 |
| 1941 | 15 |
| 1940 | 11 |
| 1939 | 23 |
| 1938 | 14 |
| 1937 | 23 |
| 1936 | 20 |
| 1935 | 25 |
| 1934 | 29 |
| 1933 | 25 |
| 1932 | 18 |
| 1931 | 28 |
| 1930 | 14 |
| 1929 | 21 |
| 1928 | 22 |
| 1927 | 28 |
| 1926 | 27 |
| 1925 | 27 |
| 1924 | 26 |
| 1923 | 25 |
| 1922 | 37 |
| 1921 | 26 |
| 1920 | 39 |
| 1919 | 36 |
| 1918 | 25 |
| 1917 | 28 |
| 1916 | 26 |
| 1915 | 24 |
| 1914 | 22 |
| 1913 | 9 |
| 1912 | 18 |
| 1911 | 5 |
| 1909 | 6 |
| 1907 | 6 |
| 1900 | 5 |