Harper

Updated: October 18, 2023 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

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

Nicknames for Harper

Because of its association with music and literature, the baby name Harper evokes images of someone who is creative. It may be difficult to come up with a nickname based off of the name “Harper” alone. However, that just provides an opportunity to come up with a nickname unique to their personality. Below, we've created a list below to help get you inspired:

Harp
Harry
Purr
Purry

Harper Name Details

Style: Modern

Gender: Neutral

Pronunciation: HAAR-pr

Syllables: Two

Harper Name Popularity

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.