Harper
Meaning of Harper
Harper began life as an old English occupational surname—once bestowed on the merry soul who could coax stories out of a harp—and that musical legacy still hums through the name today. From medieval minstrels to To Kill a Mockingbird’s beloved author Harper Lee, it carries both a lyrical lilt and a literary glow, making it feel at once classic and fresh. Parents clearly hear the tune: since the turn of the millennium, Harper has leapt from the fringes of the U.S. charts to a steady perch in the Top 15, proving that a strong, two-syllable surname can strike just the right chord for a modern girl. Pronounced HAHR-per, it rolls off the tongue like a confident strum—crisp, bright, and impossible to miss. Whether you picture a pint-sized troubadour, a future best-seller, or simply a child with a spirited sense of harmony, Harper offers a warm blend of strength and sweetness, a name ready to accompany her through every verse of life.
Pronunciation
American English
- Pronunced as HAHR-per (/ˈhɑr.pər/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Harper
| Nelle Harper Lee was an American novelist whose To Kill a Mockingbird won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize, who helped Truman Capote research In Cold Blood, and whose Go Set a Watchman appeared in 2015, with The Land of Sweet Forever due October 21, 2025. |
| Harper James Simon is an American singer and songwriter, guitarist and producer, son of Paul Simon and Peggy Harper, with albums in 2010 and 2013 and appearances in films and TV including the HBO series Girls. |
