Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Harper
GirlEnglish· “harp player”
- Meaning
- harp player
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- HAHR-pur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #16
- US babies 2025
- 6,792
- Best rank
- #9 (2018)
- Peak year
- 2016
Meaning and origin of Harper
Harper is an English name that means “harp player”.
Harper comes from an English and Scottish occupational surname for a person who played the harp. It was used occasionally as a first name for boys in the past, but it became widely known as a feminine name through Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird. In the twenty-first century it rose quickly among American girls' names, fitting a trend for surname names with an artistic or occupational feel. Harper sounds gentle, creative and modern, and it is still sometimes used for boys. It pairs easily with classic middle names and rarely needs a nickname.
Famous parents who chose Harper: Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen (2026). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Harper first appears in US Social Security records in 1971. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 22 different years, starting in 2004. Its best national rank was #9 in 2018, and the most babies received it in 2016, when 10,803 were named Harper. In 2025, 6,792 babies were named Harper, and it ranked #16 nationally. That is 34% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #9,492 in 1980, #1,370 in 2000, #120 in 2010, and #16 in 2025. Of the 139,063 US girls named Harper since records began, 61% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 47,509 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Sofia, Scarlett, Mia, Audrey, and Skylar.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Harper ranked highest in Nebraska, West Virginia, and Maine.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | #3 | 80 |
| West Virginia | #4 | 62 |
| Maine | #5 | 43 |
| Louisiana | #6 | 119 |
| Montana | #6 | 36 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 96% of US babies named Harper over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Harper is usually pronounced HAHR-pur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with H and ends in “-er”.
Middle names for Harper
A few middle names that flow with Harper: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Harper
Similar names
Parker Unisex
PAHR-kur
“park keeper” · English
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Sawyer Unisex
SAW-yur
“one who saws wood” · English
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River Unisex
RIH-vur
“river” · English
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Piper Girl
PY-pur
“pipe player” · English
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Summer Girl
SUH-mur
“the season of summer” · English
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Ember Girl
EHM-bur
“glowing coal” · English
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Chandler Unisex
CHAND-lur
“candle maker” · English
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Winter Girl
WIHN-tur
“winter” · English
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Palmer Unisex
PAH-mur
“pilgrim” · English
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Miller Unisex
MIL-ur
“one who works a mill” · English
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Amber Girl
AM-ber
“amber, fossil resin” · English
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Juniper Girl
JOO-nih-pur
“juniper shrub” · English
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Lists that include Harper
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Harper mean?
Harper is an English name that means “harp player”.
What is the origin of the name Harper?
Harper has English roots. Harper comes from an English and Scottish occupational surname for a person who played the harp.
Is Harper a popular name?
Yes. Harper ranked #16 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Harper a boy or girl name?
Harper is mainly a girl's name. About 96% of US babies named Harper over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Harper?
Harper is usually pronounced HAHR-pur. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings