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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Harp player
- Origin
- English (occupational surname, Middle English 'harpere')
- Gender
- Neutral
- Pronunciation
- HAR-per
Harper began as an English occupational surname, from the Middle English 'harpere' — literally someone who played the harp — before it crossed over into a first name. Today it's used as a neutral name with a vintage feel, and it's pronounced HAR-per (/ˈhɑːrpər/). If you like names with a clear, traceable job-title origin rather than an abstract meaning, Harper fits that mold.
Meaning & Origin of Harper
Meaning: Harp player.
Origin: English (occupational surname, Middle English 'harpere').
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Harper
HAR-perIPA /ˈhɑːrpər/
Popularity of Harper
Harper hit its high point at #9 in 2018 with 10,644 babies given the name, and by 2024 it had settled to #12 with 7,370 — still a top-15 name, just past its peak.
Names Like Harper
These names share Harper’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Harper mean?
Harp player. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Harper?
Harper is pronounced HAR-per (IPA: /ˈhɑːrpər/).
Is Harper a popular name right now?
Harper peaked at #9 in 2018 and is ranked #12 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1881–2024.)
Make Harper Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Harper, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Harper? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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