Harper Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationHAR-per / /ˈhɑːr.pər/English; Old English
Meaning
Harp player; one who plays the harp
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Harper originally referred to someone who played the harp, a popular instrument in medieval England. It has been used as a surname before becoming a given name. In recent years, Harper has gained popularity as a first name for boys and girls alike, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Trend Summary
Harper has seen a significant rise in popularity in the United States over the past two decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Harper
International Variants
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Famous people named Harper
Harper Lee was an American author best known for her novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.
Harper Beckham is the daughter of famous footballer David Beckham and fashion designer Victoria Beckham.
Fictional characters named Harper
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Harper was first seen in the United States in 1881. Harper has ranked as high as #973 nationally, which occurred in 2012, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. 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)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 11 | |
| GA | 6 | |
| NC | 6 | |
| FL | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1881 | 9 |
| 1882 | 5 |
| 1883 | 10 |
| 1884 | 7 |
| 1885 | 9 |
| 1886 | 7 |
| 1888 | 5 |
| 1890 | 6 |
| 1891 | 6 |
| 1892 | 5 |
| 1895 | 12 |
| 1896 | 6 |
| 1897 | 6 |
| 1898 | 7 |
| 1899 | 8 |
| 1900 | 7 |
| 1905 | 13 |
| 1906 | 11 |
| 1907 | 5 |
| 1908 | 6 |
| 1910 | 6 |
| 1912 | 18 |
| 1913 | 16 |
| 1914 | 20 |
| 1915 | 27 |
| 1916 | 17 |
| 1917 | 21 |
| 1918 | 17 |
| 1919 | 16 |
| 1920 | 28 |
| 1921 | 23 |
| 1922 | 31 |
| 1923 | 13 |
| 1924 | 29 |
| 1925 | 21 |
| 1926 | 24 |
| 1927 | 22 |
| 1928 | 18 |
| 1929 | 16 |
| 1930 | 21 |
| 1931 | 11 |
| 1932 | 16 |
| 1933 | 11 |
| 1934 | 15 |
| 1935 | 12 |
| 1936 | 12 |
| 1937 | 12 |
| 1938 | 18 |
| 1939 | 15 |
| 1940 | 10 |
| 1941 | 13 |
| 1942 | 14 |
| 1943 | 7 |
| 1944 | 15 |
| 1945 | 8 |
| 1946 | 9 |
| 1947 | 12 |
| 1948 | 16 |
| 1949 | 11 |
| 1950 | 12 |
| 1951 | 12 |
| 1952 | 13 |
| 1953 | 5 |
| 1954 | 9 |
| 1955 | 10 |
| 1956 | 17 |
| 1957 | 6 |
| 1958 | 7 |
| 1959 | 14 |
| 1960 | 6 |
| 1961 | 7 |
| 1963 | 6 |
| 1964 | 7 |
| 1965 | 7 |
| 1966 | 8 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1968 | 13 |
| 1969 | 9 |
| 1970 | 12 |
| 1971 | 17 |
| 1972 | 8 |
| 1973 | 10 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1975 | 7 |
| 1976 | 8 |
| 1977 | 9 |
| 1978 | 9 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1980 | 10 |
| 1981 | 8 |
| 1982 | 9 |
| 1983 | 10 |
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1988 | 11 |
| 1989 | 12 |
| 1990 | 11 |
| 1991 | 14 |
| 1992 | 17 |
| 1993 | 14 |
| 1994 | 11 |
| 1995 | 19 |
| 1996 | 39 |
| 1997 | 29 |
| 1998 | 39 |
| 1999 | 44 |
| 2000 | 47 |
| 2001 | 58 |
| 2002 | 73 |
| 2003 | 72 |
| 2004 | 77 |
| 2005 | 139 |
| 2006 | 195 |
| 2007 | 231 |
| 2008 | 248 |
| 2009 | 316 |
| 2010 | 341 |
| 2011 | 402 |
| 2012 | 416 |
| 2013 | 366 |
| 2014 | 328 |
| 2015 | 341 |
| 2016 | 299 |
| 2017 | 286 |
| 2018 | 214 |
| 2019 | 202 |
| 2020 | 149 |
| 2021 | 149 |
| 2022 | 139 |
| 2023 | 127 |
| 2024 | 91 |