Mercury is the Roman deity who corresponds most closely to the Greek god Hermes.
Both gods are associated with communication, travel, commerce, and the movement of messages. Their shared attributes include winged footwear and a herald’s staff, although artistic traditions vary in how these objects are shown.
The Roman Mercury was not simply a name replacement in every story. Roman religion developed through its own traditions and later interpreted many Greek gods through Roman equivalents. As Greek mythology influenced Roman literature and art, Hermes and Mercury were increasingly connected.
Mercury also gave his name to the planet Mercury. The planet received the name because it moves rapidly across the sky relative to the other visible planets, recalling the swift messenger god. The English weekday name Wednesday likewise derives from the Germanic equivalent of Mercury, Wōden or Odin.