Harper
Harper is a girls' name of English origin meaning “harp player; maker of harps.” It ranked #16 in the United States in 2025. An English occupational surname for a harp player.
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how do you pronounce Harper?
HAR-per
where does the name Harper come from?
An English occupational surname for someone who played the harp, from Old English hearpere. Harpers held real standing in medieval households, so the surname records a profession with more status than most occupational names carry.
It gained explosive popularity for girls following Victoria Beckham naming her daughter Harper Seven in 2011. Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, lends it literary prestige.
how popular is this name?
Harper has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 22 years since 2004. It peaked at #9 in 2018, and ranked #16 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #16 |
| 2024 | #12 |
| 2023 | #11 |
| 2022 | #11 |
| 2021 | #10 |
| 2020 | #10 |
| 2019 | #9 |
| 2018 | #9 |
| 2017 | #11 |
| 2016 | #11 |
| 2010 | #120 |
| 2004 | #887 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Harper fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Harper
Harper Lee published To Kill a Mockingbird in 1960 under a name that was in fact her middle one, and for decades she was the surname's best-known bearer. Its shift to a girls' given name in the United States began around 2004 and moved fast; David and Victoria Beckham named their daughter Harper Seven in 2011, and the name reached the American top ten by 2015.
who are famous people named Harper?
- Harper Lee (author)
- Harper Beckham (celebrity daughter)
- Harper Steele (writer)
what are the nicknames and variants of Harper?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Harper?
what names go well with Harper?
Sibling names that share Harper's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Harper
What does the name Harper mean?
Harper means “harp player; maker of harps”.
What is the origin of the name Harper?
Harper comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Harpar and Harperr.
How popular is the name Harper?
Harper ranked #16 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2018, at #9, and it has spent 22 years in the top 1,000 since 2004.
Is Harper a boy or girl name?
Harper is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Harper?
Harper is pronounced HAR-per, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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