Mostly girls · English

Harper

“harp player”

Say it HAR-perPronunciation may vary by region.

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A little maybe, saved for later.

The story behind the name

Meet Harper.

Harper began as an English occupational surname for a person who played the harp. Its musical meaning is literal, making it an option for families drawn to instruments, performance or a musical family connection.

As a first name, Harper keeps the two-syllable rhythm and surname style of other occupational choices. It can stand on its own without a longer formal name or an expected nickname.

A little perspective

How popular is Harper?

United States · 2025
Girls · 2025#166,792 recorded births
Boys · 2025#1,98077 recorded births

Recorded US births over time

2014202510,8030
● Girls● Boys
View the numbers behind the chart
YearCategoryUS rankBirths
2025Boys1,98077
2025Girls166,792
2024Boys1,78392
2024Girls127,394
2023Boys1,435127
2023Girls117,799
2022Boys1,347139
2022Girls118,227
2021Boys1,275149
2021Girls108,448
2020Boys1,246149
2020Girls108,849
2019Boys1,029202
2019Girls910,497
2018Boys973214
2018Girls910,646
2017Boys801286
2017Girls1110,524
2016Boys791299
2016Girls1110,803
2015Boys724341
2015Girls1010,311
2014Boys730328
2014Girls119,619

Rankings are calculated separately for boys and girls. Records below the publication threshold may be missing; gaps are not zero births.

A few ways to make it theirs.

Nicknames

No nicknames are listed yet. The name can stand beautifully on its own.

Variations & related forms

Harpur

Keep the possibilities coming

If you love Harper…

More names with a similar feeling or shared roots.