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Harper Unisex

Popularity: #12 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationHAR-per / /ˈhɑːr.pər/

English; Old English

Meaning

English: harp player; Old English: harp

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Harper has its roots in Old English, originally used as a surname for someone who played the harp. It gained popularity as a first name in the 19th century, particularly in the United States. The name has been associated with literary and artistic figures, contributing to its appeal. In recent years, Harper has become a trendy choice for girls, reflecting a shift towards unisex names.

Trend Summary

Harper has seen a significant rise in popularity in the United States, consistently ranking among the top names for girls in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Harperly

International Variants

  • Harper (English)

Famous people named Harper

Harper Lee was an American author best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

Harper Beckham is the daughter of famous footballer David Beckham and fashion designer Victoria Beckham.

Harper Simon is an American musician and the son of singer-songwriter Paul Simon.

Harper Grace is an American singer who gained recognition as a contestant on 'American Idol'.

Fictional characters named Harper

Harper Finkle is a character from the Disney Channel series 'Wizards of Waverly Place', known for her quirky personality.

Harper is a character in the 'Harper's Island' television series, involved in a murder mystery plot.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Harper was first seen in the United States in 1971. Harper has ranked as high as #31 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Harper has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Harper (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 577
8%
CA 485
7%
FL 360
5%
PA 339
5%
OH 333
5%
NY 328
5%
NC 286
4%
TN 256
4%
GA 254
4%
IL 229
3%
VA 205
3%
IN 195
3%
NJ 194
3%
MO 188
3%
WA 167
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19715
19749
19757
19769
19775
19789
19806
19818
19827
19835
19845
198513
19868
19878
198812
198911
199012
199122
199221
199323
199434
199553
1996107
199786
199893
1999112
2000136
2001176
2002164
2003200
2004274
2005363
2006597
2007729
20081,128
20091,903
20102,634
20114,676
20127,199
20138,284
20149,616
201510,310
201610,802
201710,521
201810,644
201910,494
20208,848
20218,441
20228,223
20237,792
20247,370