This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance
- Meaning
- Son of Harry/Henry; alternatively, for the Isle of Harris, possibly from Old Norse for 'higher ground' or 'administrative district'
- Origin
- English (patronymic surname, 'son of Harry'); also a Scottish island name
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- HAIR-iss
Harris is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Harry (Henry)', and it's also the name of a Scottish island, where it may come from an Old Norse term for 'higher ground' or 'administrative district'. You may see Harris glossed as meaning 'from the old meadow', but that claim isn't supported by Wiktionary — the patronymic meaning, or the Old Norse island connection, are the better-supported roots.
Meaning & Origin of Harris
Meaning: Son of Harry/Henry; alternatively, for the Isle of Harris, possibly from Old Norse for 'higher ground' or 'administrative district'.
Origin: English (patronymic surname, 'son of Harry'); also a Scottish island name.
A common claim: Harris means 'from the old meadow' Actually: Harris is sometimes glossed as 'from the old meadow,' but it's most often a patronymic meaning 'son of Harry (Henry).' For the Scottish island of Harris, it may instead come from Old Norse for 'higher ground' or 'administrative district.'
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Harris
HAIR-issIPA /ˈhærɪs/
Popularity of Harris
Harris peaked at #316 in 1889 with 31 babies given the name, and by 2024 it had fallen to #1319 with just 147 — based on Social Security data spanning 1880 to 2024.
Names Like Harris
These names have followed a similar path to Harris in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Harris mean?
Son of Harry/Henry; alternatively, for the Isle of Harris, possibly from Old Norse for ‘higher ground’ or ‘administrative district’. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Harris?
Harris is pronounced HAIR-iss (IPA: /ˈhærɪs/).
Is Harris a popular name right now?
Harris peaked at #316 in 1889 and is ranked #1319 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Harris Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Harris, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Harris? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →
