MallowbyNames

Harper

HAR-pur · An English occupational surname meaning 'harp player,' now used chiefly as a girls' given name.

2025 rank (girls)
#16
Babies named in 2025
6,792
Peak popularity
2018
2025 frequency
1 in 237 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 2018

Declining since 2018, #16 for girls today.

Popularity of Harper since 1971

Babies named Harper per year in U.S. Social Security records.

3.6k7.2k10.8k198020002020Most births 2016Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s45
1980s82
1990s563
2000s5,671
2010s85,193
2020s47,509

Meaning & origin

Harper is the defining surname-name of the 2010s girls' chart. It first appears in Social Security data in 1971, a decade after To Kill a Mockingbird made Harper Lee a household name, but its real ascent came in the 2000s and early 2010s, cresting in 2018. The descent since then has been gentle: in 2025 it still ranked 16th, reaching about one in every 237 newborn girls.

Its strongest states are Wyoming, Vermont, and Maine, rural, small-state territory rather than the coastal metros, a pattern common to names that have fully saturated the mainstream. Stylistically Harper anchors a cohort of brisk, surname-flavored girls' names; parents considering it often weigh Piper, Quinn, and Emerson alongside it, or the softer vintage counterweights like Sadie.

Harper is an occupational surname from Old English hearpere, 'one who plays the harp,' recorded in England since the Middle Ages. Its life as an American first name is recent and largely traceable to the novelist Harper Lee, whose To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) made the surname feel like a literary given name; Social Security data first records it for girls in 1971. It idled quietly until the surname-name wave of the 2000s, then took off, the 2011 birth of Harper Beckham, daughter of David and Victoria Beckham, coincided with the steepest part of the climb, and it spent the 2010s as a fixture near the top of the charts.

Read more: Harper on Wikipedia

Where Harper is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

Harper” around the world

Where Harper lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    45

    babies in 2024

  • Ireland

    #54

    in 2025

  • New Zealand

    #17

    in 2025

  • Quebec

    7

    babies in 2025

  • Australia (NSW)

    #15

    in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Harp

Famous people named Harper

  • Harper Lee · American novelist, author of To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Harper Beckham · daughter of David and Victoria Beckham, whose 2011 birth boosted the name's profile

Sibling names for Harper

Names that share Harper's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Piper, Quinn, Sadie, Emerson, Sloane, Addison, Avery, Madison, Paisley, Riley, Adalynn, Bailey, Brooklyn, Kennedy, Londyn, Madilyn, Morgan, Payton, Peyton, Raelynn, Sydney, Addilyn, Adelynn, Adley, Ainsley, Alisson, Andie, Ansley, Aubree, Aubrie, Averi, Baily, Bellamy, Berkley, Braelyn, Briley, Brookelyn, Brooklynn, Bryleigh, Caidence, Carsyn, Charlee, Charleigh, Clarke, Daleyza, Dylann, Ellery, Ellison, Emeri, Emerie, Emmalyn, Emory, Gracelyn, Hadlee, Hadley, Halley, Harlie, Henley, Holland, Jaidyn, Jaycee, Jaylee, Jersey, Joslyn, Karleigh, Kenley, Kennedi, Khloe, Kinley, Kinsley, Landry, Legacy, Lexie, Lexus, Macey, Madalynn, Maddison, Madelynn, Marlee, Marley, Marlowe, Marnie, Mccall, Mckinley, Merritt, Paislee, Palmer, Presley, Raleigh, Ryley, Skylar, Stori, Tatum, Aaralyn, Adalee, Addalyn, Adilyn, Adison, Adyson, Alyx, Anniston, Ashby, Atlee, Aubri, Aubry, Avalynn, Avarie, Avary, Baileigh, Bailie, Bayleigh, Bayley, Bexley, Braylyn, Brinkley, Brooklin, Brooklynne, Calleigh, Carrington, Charly, Codie, Daelyn, Dawsyn, Ellington, Emilyn, Emmaleigh, Emmerson, Emrie, Everlyn, Gracen, Gracey, Graycen, Hadleigh, Harlyn, Harlynn, Hayven, Hensley, Jacee, Joselin, Journi, Kambree, Karrington, Kaylor, Khloee, Kinsleigh, Kodie, Kynnedi, Lakin, Lexington, Lexis, Lexy, Lillyann, Londynn, Maddilyn, Madelyne, Madisen, Madisson, Makinley, Mallori, Marlow, Mattison, Maysen, Mckenzi, Mckinzie, Mylie, Paisleigh, Paizley, Parris, Peighton, Preslie, Pyper, Rainey, Rhylee, Rileigh, Ripley, Rylei, Scotlyn, Story, Taelyn, Taytum, Tinsley, Wrenlee, Addisen, Adisyn, Alley, Amery, Aubre, Autymn, Avrey, Avry, Baillie, Baley, Baylei, Bradie, Bradleigh, Braylie, Brelyn, Brooklyne, Callyn, Cambry, Cayley, Charlea, Cheyenna, Dabney, Dailey, Darlin, Dynasti, Ellasyn, Ellisyn, Ellory, Ellyse, Ellyson, Embry, Emerly, Emersen, Emersynn, Emorie, Emsley, Everlynn, Gracelynne, Hailyn, Harlym, Hazley, Jasline, Jersie, Jerzie, Journii, Kadee, Kaedence, Kaelee, Kaidynce, Kamree, Keidy, Keilee, Keili, Kenady, Kenedi, Kenedy, Kennedee, Kennidy, Kensli, Kerrington, Kherington, Khloey, Khole, Kinzleigh, Kolbi, Kynli, Kynnedy, Lennyn, Lenyx, Logann, Logyn, Londen, Mackynzie, Madasyn, Maddalyn, Maddyn, Madisynn, Maely, Mailyn, Maisley, Maizee, Matilyn, Mccartney, Mckenzee, Mckenzy, Melrose, Moxie, Myleigh, Paeton, Paiten, Paytin, Peyten, Pressley, Quinlyn, Quinnley, Railey, Railynn, Roxi, Ryli, Shailee, Skarlet, Skipper, Skylyn, Tailor, Tatem, Adalay, Adaley, Addisynn, Adely, Adlyn, Allizon, Amryn, Andersyn, Avalynne, Bailei, Baili, Bailynn, Bayli, Berklee, Berklie, Berlynn, Brealyn, Brecklynn, Breelynn, Brittin, Brooklen, Brooklinn, Burkley, Cadynce, Camber, Chancie, Charlsey, Charlye, Dashley, Emary, Emeree, Emilyanne, Emmary, Emmory, Emoree, Emrey, Emryn, Finleigh, Frankee, Gracelin, Harly, Hasset, Hawley, Hayde, Hayle, Hazlee, Jalie, Jasie, Jayleah, Joplin, Kalleigh, Kamrynn, Karlei, Kayzlee, Keilyn, Kendallyn, Kenedee, Kenlei, Kennidi, Kenslei, Kenzly, Kinzee, Kinzy, Kirbie, Kloey, Kylinn, Kynadi, Kynedi, Kynlei, Kynzie, Kynzley, Lainy, Legacie, Leightyn, Lexxi, Lundon, Lynnox, Mackenize, Macyn, Maddelynn, Madilyne, Madisan, Maeley, Makinsey, Makynli, Maylyn, Mayzie, Mckenize, Mckenley, Mikalyn, Paislei, Paisly, Paitynn, Peytin, Pieper, Quincie, Quinley, Raley, Reigan, Remmie, Rhyen, Riely, Rileyann, Ryliegh, Sharlie, Shyler, Sidnie, Skiler, Sydny, Tinleigh, Yardley, Emmersen, Kennley, Lakeyn, Mckenleigh, Mckenzey, Mckinzey, Abrey, Adalai, Adasyn, Addalyne, Addasyn, Addilyne, Addilynne, Addysin, Adilynne, Adisen, Aizley, Alizey, Alonnie, Amilee, Arlowe, Aubriee, Aubrii, Avarey, Avenly, Baxley, Baylynn, Brenlynn, Brielyn, Brinlynn, Bristyn, Brookley, Brycelyn, Camera, Chandlar, Darely, Deilany, Delainy, Dylynn, Ellason, Elleri, Elley, Elsey, Emmry, Emylie, Evanee, Fergie, Graelyn, Greysi, Harlea, Haset, Hatley, Heilyn, Henchy, Henessy, Hopelynn, Ileigh, Infantof, Ivylynn, Jaidence, Jaileigh, Jakenzie, Jayley, Joelys, Journe, Journeigh, Jurney, Jury, Kaedance, Kaicee, Kaselyn, Kenedie, Kenidy, Kennede, Kennidee, Kennison, Kerly, Khloei, Khylar, Khyli, Kinslei, Klohe, Knightley, Kyilee, Kynlea, Laelyn, Leddy, Linlee, Lunden, Lundynn, Lynnley, Mackenzye, Macklyn, Madesyn, Maicy, Maitland, Makenize, Makenley, Makinze, Marloe, Massey, Matelyn, Matison, Matteson, Mattisyn, Maybrie, Mckinzi, Mckinzy, Meritt, Mialynn, Molleigh, Mykenna, Paisely, Paislea, Paisli, Paisyn, Palyn, Paylin, Phinley, Portland, Preslei, Presly, Realynn, Reighan, Reilyn, Remii, Rhylei, Rilley, Rocklyn, Ryeleigh, Ryliee, Savanha, Savhanna, Shailah, Skyeler, Sophiagrace, Storey, Taitum, Tallyn, Taydem, Taylie, Thailyn, Vannah, Wakely

Brothers: Sawyer, Lincoln, Beckett, Carter, Miles, Colton, Cooper, Easton, Grayson, Hudson, Jace, Jackson, Logan, Mason, Ashton, Bentley, Braden, Brody, Bryson, Caden, Caiden, Carson, Chase, Colt, Ellis, Greyson, Hollis, Kayden, Kingston, Major, Porter, Ryder, Skyler, Spencer, Tucker, Weston, Anderson, Archer, Atticus, Austen, Baker, Baylor, Beckham, Benton, Booker, Boston, Braylen, Bronson, Brycen, Camdyn, Camron, Cannon, Casen, Cayden, Chadwick, Channing, Chason, Colson, Crosby, Davis, Dawson, Daxton, Dayton, Destin, Edison, Finnley, Fischer, Fisher, Fletcher, Ford, Foster, Garrison, Gibson, Gunner, Harlin, Harris, Huxley, Jagger, Jamison, Jaxen, Jaxsen, Jaxton, Jaydon, Jennings, Jensen, Johnson, Jones, Jorden, Jordy, Kacen, Kannon, Karson, Karter, Kason, Kaysen, Kayson, Kole, Kye, Kylen, Kyler, Landen, Landyn, Langston, Lawson, Layton, Madden, Maddox, Maison, Mayson, Miller, Nixon, Paxton, Riggs, Rogers, Ryker, Rylan, Ryland, Shelton, Shepard, Sullivan, Tillman, Turner, Walker, Watson, Westin, Williams, Andersen, Ashten, Auden, Auston, Avion, Axl, Baxter, Bentlee, Bently, Blaize, Bowie, Brewer, Brighton, Broden, Bronx, Bryar, Brysen, Cadyn, Caeden, Cartier, Chancellor, Cj, Collier, Colston, Copeland, Corben, Corbyn, Daxon, Daylan, Decker, Dixon, Drayden, Drayton, Dutton, Eason, Gatlin, Granger, Grayden, Graydon, Graysen, Greysen, Griffen, Haden, Halen, Hampton, Henderson, Huntley, Hurley, Iverson, Jakoby, Jaxtyn, Jaxxon, Jayse, Kaedyn, Kaidyn, Kamren, Kayleb, Keller, Kemper, Kirkland, Kobie, Kooper, Krew, Kross, Kysen, Landan, Larson, Lawton, Ledger, Lenox, Leyton, Linkin, Maddex, Maddix, Masen, Masyn, Mavrick, Mcarthur, Morrison, Ozzy, Parks, Parrish, Patton, Pearson, Pierson, Quincey, Ranger, Ransom, Reynolds, Rhyder, Rider, Riker, Robinson, Rockwell, Ruger, Ryatt, Sanders, Saxon, Schuyler, Slater, Stevens, Stevenson, Stryker, Thompson, Treyson, Trysten, Tylan, Wheeler, Wilder, Woodson, Wylder, Aaiden, Ahren, Asbury, Aycen, Aydrian, Banner, Bayler, Baylin, Beckam, Becket, Bejamin, Bensen, Bodee, Braddock, Braelin, Braxtin, Bryceson, Brylen, Buckley, Cadin, Caedon, Caeleb, Caison, Caldwell, Caydin, Chancelor, Chanler, Chapman, Cobey, Coulson, Coulter, Cutler, Cuyler, Davidson, Deakon, Decklyn, Dennison, Draper, Dreyden, Eddison, Edwards, Everhett, Everton, Eyden, Farley, Findley, Fuller, Glover, Graden, Graeson, Greyden, Gryffin, Hanley, Harden, Hatcher, Hawkins, Haydin, Herson, Hinton, Holdyn, Holten, Hoover, Hudsen, Hunner, Jacksen, Jakson, Jamerson, Jamisen, Jaxiel, Jaxsyn, Jaxtin, Jeter, Kaeson, Kaid, Kaidan, Kailer, Kaisyn, Kamdon, Kanen, Karlin, Karver, Kaston, Kaydyn, Keeton, Kendry, Khayden, Khyler, Kingsten, Kingstyn, Kipling, Kohlton, Koltin, Kowen, Kramer, Kutter, Lander, Layten, Lennix, Linken, Macen, Maddax, Madix, Maeson, Maisen, Maxson, Nason, Neyland, Neythan, Olsen, Owens, Patterson, Peterson, Princeston, Quinnton, Quintyn, Reily, Remmington, Rhyatt, Rhyker, Richardson, Rollins, Roper, Ryken, Satchel, Seeley, Sheppard, Stephens, Stiles, Stryder, Styles, Syler, Taiden, Townsend, Trapper, Waylin, Weaver, Welles, Westly, Whitaker, Whitman, Witten, Wrigley, Wylee, Wynston, Xayden, Zaydon, Zaylin, Aidenn, Armour, Ashdon, Axten, Aydenn, Becker, Bohden, Braelen, Braycen, Brewster, Breylen, Breyson, Brysin, Butler, Caidyn, Caisyn, Camdin, Cannen, Caydon, Chasten, Chayson, Coleby, Coleston, Davison, Daxson, Dayden, Dekker, Dredyn, Emrick, Endrick, Everrett, Everson, Fowler, Gavynn, Gotham, Graceson, Grason, Greycen, Griffey, Griffon, Haddon, Halden, Harvin, Hawken, Herndon, Hodges, Hollace, Holston, Huntington, Hutchinson, Hyatt, Isaic, Jackston, Jaggar, Jakaden, Jamason, Jaston, Jaxsin, Jaxyn, Jaymin, Jenner, Jhace, Jourden, Kaegan, Kaicen, Kailor, Kanden, Kannen, Karder, Keiden, Kempton, Kendrik, Kenston, Khaden, Koleson, Kolston, Koston, Krosby, Kyliam, Kyzier, Landynn, Lawsen, Layson, Leelyn, Linkon, Luxton, Madox, Majour, Masson, Maveryck, Maveryk, Mavryk, Myers, Nashton, Nickson, Osten, Paxten, Presten, Raliegh, Redford, Remmy, Reyden, Rhylen, Rigdon, Ripken, Romney, Rucker, Rutledge, Sadler, Saunders, Schneider, Schyler, Sender, Stockton, Stokes, Thomson, Tilden, Tiler, Travers, Vayden, Wessley, Whittaker, Wilkes, Woodley, Woodward, Wyatte, Wyeth, Zakkery, Zyden, Zyler, Asheton, Briggston, Carrson, Castin, Greysin, Kaiyden, Kaulder, Lynkin, Stokely, Aceton, Aidynn, Aldyn, Aydden, Bailor, Bairon, Barkon, Barlow, Bingham, Boen, Bolton, Bonham, Boomer, Brenyn, Brexten, Brixten, Bryker, Bryten, Cadan, Caide, Caidon, Cashten, Cayton, Chamberlain, Chasyn, Chaynce, Clarkson, Clayden, Coben, Crews, Daxen, Daxter, Dayren, Deylan, Draycen, Dryden, Elison, Finnlee, Gardiner, Garison, Gavinn, Goldman, Grainger, Graves, Grayton, Greydon, Guage, Gunnison, Haeden, Hendricks, Herron, Hershey, Hever, Hooper, Huxson, Jacieon, Jacksyn, Jaece, Jameison, Jamyson, Jaxsun, Jaxxton, Jaxzen, Jaymison, Jeiden, Johnavon, Joyner, Kaimen, Kaiven, Kasson, Kaydenn, Kaysyn, Keiler, Kelsen, Keyner, Keyston, Khale, Kharson, Kholton, Khysen, Kingjames, Kingsly, Kinsler, Kipper, Knoah, Knolan, Knoxton, Kohlson, Kohner, Kuper, Kutler, Linkoln, Lyncoln, Maccoy, Maddoxx, Mattson, Maxtyn, Maxxwell, Maycen, Mayfield, Mclaren, Nixxon, Nohlan, Paydon, Poe, Quinntin, Rally, Ramzey, Ridgely, Rilen, Robson, Rylend, Seager, Shafer, Sheriff, Skylier, Slaton, Statler, Sutter, Swanson, Taydon, Traeton, Traycen, Trooper, Truen, Truxton, Tyner, Vedder, Waelyn, Waller, Winchester, Xaidyn, Xaylen, Xhaiden, Yandell

Names like Harper

Names whose popularity has moved with Harper's over the last 50 years.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

H is for Harper, our favorite little girl.

H is for Harper…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Harper's letter becomes Harper's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Harper's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does Harper mean?
Harper means 'harp player.' It began as an English occupational surname for a musician and moved to first-name use in the twentieth century, largely thanks to novelist Harper Lee.
How popular is Harper?
Harper ranked 16th for girls in 2025, given to about one in every 237 newborn girls. It peaked in 2018 and has been easing gradually since.
Is Harper a girl's name or a boy's name?
Today Harper is used overwhelmingly for girls in the United States, though as a surname-turned-first-name it occasionally appears for boys as well.
Is Harper falling out of fashion?
It is past its 2018 peak and has been declining since, but slowly, a rank of 16th in 2025 still puts it comfortably among the most popular girls' names in the country.