Declining since 2018, #16 for girls today.
Popularity of Harper since 1971
Babies named Harper per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 45 |
| 1980s | 82 |
| 1990s | 563 |
| 2000s | 5,671 |
| 2010s | 85,193 |
| 2020s | 47,509 |
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.
“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.

