Harper is a popular choice in the UK, ranked #22 in 2024. There's a good chance they'll share their name with at least one classmate throughout school.
Origin & Meaning
English — Harp player
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UK Rank 2024
#22
US Rank #12
About the Name Harper
Harper is holding steady in the rankings at #22. It reached its peak of #22 in 2023 and has maintained consistent levels since — the hallmark of a name with lasting rather than trend-driven appeal. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1999. It has featured in the UK top 100 for 11 years, demonstrating solid mainstream recognition.
The name carries English roots, where it means "Harp player". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Harper is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
It ranks similarly in the US at #12, suggesting broad transatlantic appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Harper
Unlikely. With around 1,461 UK babies named Harper per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Harper in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Harper has held a stable position around #22 for several years. It reached its recorded peak of #22 in 2023 and has maintained consistent levels since — suggesting lasting rather than trend-driven appeal.
The name Harper has English origins and means "Harp player". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Harper include: Hill Harper — Frank Eugene "Hill" Harper is an American actor and political candidate, who is known for his roles as Dr.; Bryce Harper — Bryce Aron Max Harper is an American professional baseball right fielder and first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB).; Laureen Harper — Laureen Ann Harper is a Canadian graphic designer..
Yes — Harper is very popular in the United States, ranked #12 in 2024. It's a transatlantic favourite used widely on both sides of the Atlantic.
1,461
UK babies named Harper (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.8
In a school of 600
↑ 6 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Harper
Likely around 1 other Harper in the class
UK Popularity (1999–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Harper
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Elijah Harper was a Canadian Oji-Cree politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba (MLA) from 1981 to 1992 and a member of Parliament (MP) from 1993 to 1997. Harper was elected chief of the Red Sucker Lake Indian Band in 1978, serving for four years and worked as a policy analyst prior to entering politics.
Frank Eugene "Hill" Harper is an American actor and political candidate, who is known for his roles as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes in CSI: NY, Agent Spelman Boyle in Limitless, and Dr.
Bryce Aron Max Harper is an American professional baseball right fielder and first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Washington Nationals.
Laureen Ann Harper is a Canadian graphic designer. She is married to Canada's 22nd prime minister, Stephen Harper and has two children, Benjamin Harper and Rachel Harper.
Toni Harper, also known as Toni Dunlap, was an American former child singer who retired from performing at the age of 29. After learning dance under Maceo Anderson, Harper was cast by the choreographer Nick Castle in Christmas Follies, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in 1945.
Stephen Joseph Harper is a Canadian politician who served as the 22nd prime minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015. He is to date the only prime minister to have come from the modern-day Conservative Party of Canada, being the party's co-founder and serving as its first leader from 2004 to 2015.
Dylan Harper is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and was drafted second overall in the 2025 NBA draft by the Spurs.