Harper
How to say it: HAR-pur · /ˈhɑrpər/
English occupational surname for a harp player, from Old English hearpere; used as a given name since the 19th century.
Harper was the 26th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 6,792 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 2010s, its births are down about 34% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #54 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #26 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 6,792 |
| Share of births | 1 in 488 |
| Peak decade | 2010s |
| Change over 10 years | −34% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #54 |
| In France, 2025 | #701 among girls’ names, 50 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Emerging in recent decades, Harper found its height in the 2010s. At its peak now, a gentle slip seems on the way.
What goes with it
Airy and breathy, Harper carries a musical and literary color. Piper shares its style.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Harper is about 1 in 21.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #701 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #23. Ireland: #54.
Famous people named Harper
- Harper Lee (1926–2016)American novelist
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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