Harper
Harper is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Harp player or maker of harps.
Origin and history
Harper originated as an Old English occupational surname referring to a harp player. In recent decades, it transitioned into a wildly popular given name in the United States, especially for girls. It gained huge literary resonance from author Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird.
Popularity in the United States
139,063 babies in the United States have been named Harper since 1880. It ranks #291 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #10.
States where it is most popular
- TX (8.1 %)
- CA (6.7 %)
- OH (4.7 %)
- FL (4.5 %)
- PA (4.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 45 |
| 1980-1990 | 82 |
| 1990-2000 | 563 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,671 |
| 2010-2019 | 85,193 |
| 2020-2029 | 47,509 |
Famous people named Harper
- Harper Lee: Author, Writer
Fun facts
- The name gained enduring cultural fame through American author Nelle Harper Lee, known for To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Once predominantly a surname, Harper surged into the top 10 most popular names for U.S. baby girls in the 2010s and 2020s.