Piper
Piper is a girls' name of English origin meaning “One who plays the pipe or flute.” It ranked #155 in the United States in 2025. An English occupational surname for a pipe or flute player.
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how do you pronounce Piper?
PY-pur
where does the name Piper come from?
A transferred English surname, occupational in origin — a medieval name for a pipe player. The given name and the instrument are the same word.
It gained significant traction as a given name in the 2010s, boosted by the TV series Orange Is the New Black and its energetic, upbeat sound.
how popular is this name?
Piper has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 27 years since 1999. It peaked at #67 in 2015, and ranked #155 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #155 |
| 2024 | #159 |
| 2023 | #135 |
| 2022 | #114 |
| 2021 | #96 |
| 2020 | #91 |
| 2019 | #84 |
| 2018 | #88 |
| 2017 | #81 |
| 2016 | #67 |
| 2015 | #67 |
| 2010 | #144 |
| 2000 | #511 |
| 1999 | #696 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Piper fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Piper
The actress Piper Laurie made it popular for girls from the mid-twentieth century, when the surname began to be used as a first name in the English-speaking world.
who are famous people named Piper?
- Piper Perabo
- Piper Kerman
what are the nicknames and variants of Piper?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Piper?
what names go well with Piper?
Sibling names that share Piper's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Piper
What does the name Piper mean?
Piper means “One who plays the pipe or flute”.
What is the origin of the name Piper?
Piper comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Pyper and Pipa.
How popular is the name Piper?
Piper ranked #155 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2015, at #67, and it has spent 27 years in the top 1,000 since 1999.
Is Piper a boy or girl name?
Piper is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Piper?
Piper is pronounced PY-pur, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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