How Did The Planet Mercury Get Its Name?

The Romans named the planets after their most important gods. Because Mercury was the fastest planet as it moved around the sun, it was named after the Roman messenger god Mercury. Mercury was also the god of travelers. According to myth, he had a winged hat and sandals, so he could fly.

The planet Mercury got its name from Roman god Mercury, messenger of the gods. It was named because it traveled so swiftly across the night sky.