Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Piper
GirlEnglish· “pipe player”
- Meaning
- pipe player
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- PY-pur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #155
- US babies 2025
- 1,940
- Best rank
- #67 (2015)
- Peak year
- 2015
Meaning and origin of Piper
Piper is an English name that means “pipe player”.
Piper is an English occupational surname for a person who played the pipe or bagpipe, from Old English pipere. Pipers were familiar figures in medieval Britain, playing at festivals and in processions, and in Scotland the piper remains an important part of ceremonial life. Many people also know the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, retold by Robert Browning in a famous poem. As a first name Piper has become popular for girls in the United States, where it sounds lively, musical and playful. It is easy to say, has no awkward spellings, and works well with both short and long middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Pyper.
Famous parents who chose Piper: Drew Scott and Linda Phan (2024). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Piper first appears in US Social Security records in 1951. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 27 different years, starting in 1999. Its best national rank was #67 in 2015, the same year it reached its highest count of 4,140 babies. In 2025, 1,940 babies were named Piper, and it ranked #155 nationally. That is 53% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,513 in 1980, #511 in 2000, #144 in 2010, and #155 in 2025. Of the 62,718 US girls named Piper since records began, 53% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 14,037 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Adeline, Genesis, Annabelle, Kennedy, and Lydia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Piper ranked highest in West Virginia, Montana, and Vermont.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #42 | 26 |
| Montana | #45 | 16 |
| Vermont | #45 | 9 |
| Alabama | #61 | 58 |
| New Hampshire | #65 | 17 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Piper is usually pronounced PY-pur, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with P and ends in “-er”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Pyper.
Middle names for Piper
A few middle names that flow with Piper: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Piper
Similar names
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PAHR-kur
“park keeper” · English
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SAW-yur
“one who saws wood” · English
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“river” · English
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“glowing coal” · English
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Chandler Unisex
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“candle maker” · English
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Winter Girl
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“winter” · English
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Palmer Unisex
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“pilgrim” · English
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Miller Unisex
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“one who works a mill” · English
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Harper Girl
HAHR-pur
“harp player” · English
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Molly Girl
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“diminutive of Mary” · English
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Lilly Girl
LIH-lee
“lily flower” · English
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Lists that include Piper
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Piper mean?
Piper is an English name that means “pipe player”.
What is the origin of the name Piper?
Piper has English roots. Piper is an English occupational surname for a person who played the pipe or bagpipe, from Old English pipere.
Is Piper a popular name?
Yes. Piper ranked #155 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Piper a boy or girl name?
Piper is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Piper?
Piper is usually pronounced PY-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