trade-name (n.)

"word by which a person or thing is denoted," Old English nama, noma "name, reputation," from Proto-Germanic *naman- (source also of Old Saxon namo, Old Frisian nama, Old High German namo, German Name, Middle Dutch name, Dutch naam, Old Norse nafn, Gothic namo "name"), from PIE root *no-men- "name."

The meaning "a famous person" is from 1610s (man of name "man of distinction" is from c. 1400). The sense of "one's reputation, that which is commonly said of a person" is from c. 1300. As a modifier meaning "well-known," it is attested by 1938.

In the name of "in behalf of, by authority of," used in invocations, etc., is by late 14c. Name-day "the day sacred to the saint whose name a person bears" is by 1721. Name brand "product made by a well-known company" is from 1944. Name-dropper "person who seeks to impress others by mentioning well-known persons in a familiar way" is by 1947. Name-child, one named out of regard for another, is attested by 1830. The name of the game "the essential thing or quality" is from 1966; to have one's name in lights "be a famous performer" is by 1908.

"I don't realize yet how fortunate I am. It seems that I have been dreaming. When I see my name in lights in front of the theatre, I think, 'No. It isn't I.' " [Billie Burke interview in "The Theatre Magazine," Nov. 1908]

late 14c., "path, track; course of action," senses now obsolete, a word introduced via the Hanse merchants from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German trade "a track, a trace, course" (presumably here in reference to a ship), which is cognate with Old English tredan (see tread (v.)). There are nautical uses of trade in Anglo-French apparently in reference to sheltered passages along the Brittany coast.

The sense shifts dramatically from mid-16c., and the connection to tread is obscure now. As "one's habitual business" by 1540s, specifically "occupation, the craft or business one has learned and carries on for profit or a living," developed from the notion of "way, customary course of action, manner of life" (mid-15c.). The sense of "the buying and selling or exchange of commodities" is from 1550s.

The meaning "an act of trading" is from 1829. Hence trades "handicrafts," as distinguished from liberal arts or learned professions. By 1650s trade was used in reference to anything practiced for a livelihood. The Trade has been "the London booksellers" since 1697 (it also has meant "prostitution" and "submarine service of the Royal Navy").

In North American sports, "an exchange of players between clubs," by 1913. Trade-route is from 1873; trade-war is from 1899. Trade wind (1640s) has nothing to do with commerce, but preserves the obsolete sense of "in a habitual or regular course." Jack-of-all-trades "person handy at any kind of work or business" is from 1610s (Tom of all trades is by 1630s).

also trade-mark, 1838, "distinguishing mark or device adopted by a manufacturer and marked on its goods to indicate the origin" (the things themselves are attested continuously from 14c., apparently the originals were watermarks on paper), from trade (n.) + mark (n.1) in a specialized sense of "stamp, seal, brand, etc. placed upon an article to indicate ownership or origin" (mid-13c.).

By legal statute in England and U.S., the symbol itself was recognized and protectable as property. The figurative use is attested by 1869. As a verb, it is recorded from 1899 (implied in trade-marked).

This specialized sense of mark (n.1) is near to the meaning "particular brand or make of an article, name by which a product is known to the public" (1660s), which formed 20c. names of cars, etc., as in Mark I, Mark II.