Harper

Updated: September 17, 2021 by MomsWhoThink Staff

The baby name Harper is hot hot hot right now. It shot up the list of the top 1,000 baby names so fast we barely saw it coming. It wasn't even on the map in 2003, but by 2015 it was in the top ten, and it appears to be here to stay for a while. The name has musical roots, is traditionally a surname and many new parents love its literary association. Harper is also a popular baby name for celebrities.

Meaning of the name Harper:

English: Harp player

Origin of the name Harper:

Harper is a modern derivative of the Anglo-Saxon word “hearpere,” which was a surname and occupation name during the Middle Ages. It literally translates to “person who plays the harp.”

Symbolism of the name Harper:

Because the name Harper means “harp player,” many people find the name to be musical or symbolize music.

Style of the name Harper:

Modern

Gender of the name Harper:

Harper is both a boy's and a girl's name.

Pronunciation of the name Harper:

HAAR-pr

Number of syllables in the name Harper:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Harper:

Because of its association with music and literature, the baby name Harper evokes images of someone who is creative.

Alternative spellings for the name Harper:

N/A

Nicknames for the name Harper:

Harp

Popularity of the name Harper:

Harper first made the list of the top 1,000 baby names in the United States in 2004. It reached the top 10 in 2015, according to the Social Security Administration. In 2020, it ranked at number 10.