A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Chapman since 1911
Babies named Chapman per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2014, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Chapman's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 40 |
| 1920s | 60 |
| 1930s | 43 |
| 1940s | 45 |
| 1950s | 40 |
| 1960s | 36 |
| 1970s | 12 |
| 1980s | 64 |
| 1990s | 120 |
| 2000s | 180 |
| 2010s | 224 |
| 2020s | 143 |
Meaning & origin
Chapman is an English occupational surname that transitioned into a rare given name, first appearing in U.S. birth records in 1911. It peaked in its debut year at rank 3,757, with an occurrence rate of 1 in 58,899 in 2025. After a long period of infrequent use, the name has been rising since 1986, reflecting the trend of adopting surname-style first names for boys. Its top state is Georgia, suggesting a regional Southern preference. As a straightforward name with a clear meaning rooted in trade, Chapman fits alongside other occupational surnames-turned-first-names like Cooper and Carter.
Chapman is an English occupational surname derived from Old English "cēapmann", meaning "merchant" or "trader" (from "cēap" meaning "bargain, trade" and "mann" meaning "man"). It was historically used to denote a peddler or traveling seller of goods. As a given name, it is a rare modern adoption of the surname, first recorded in the U.S. in 1911.
Where Chapman is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Chap, Chappy
Sibling names for Chapman
Names that share Chapman's style, for a brother or sister.
