How did the “trade winds” get their name?

The "trade winds" got their name because they were utilized by early European traders during the Age of Exploration. These winds blow consistently in a westerly direction in the Earth's tropical regions. European sailors noticed their reliable nature and frequency, allowing them to sail across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans more easily and efficiently. As a result, these winds became known as the "trade winds" because they facilitated trade routes and commerce between continents.