Is Harper More of a Boy or Girl Name?
According to various sources, Harper has taken on a new identity and has become predominantly a unisex name. However, to better understand the complex history and modern trends behind the name Harper, it is essential to delve deeper.
Origins: The Boy Name
Initially, Harper was a medieval English surname that referred to a person who played the harp, a versatile and elegant stringed musical instrument. This occupational background was typical of many historical English surnames that signified the profession of an individual’s ancestors, such as Carpenter, Carter, or Fletcher. Due to this occupation-based link, Harper was initially assigned as a masculine name until the 19th and early 20th century, when it started drifting away from its traditional boundaries.
A Shift into Unisex Territory
At the turn of the millennium, Harper started gaining significance as a feminine name as well. Celebrities chose this name for their offsprings, and before long, it became en vogue. The actress Goldie Hawn brought forth a daughter named Ciera Harper, musician Paul Simon gave birth to Harper, and even more Hollywood A-listers embraced the name.
Ranking and Popularity Evolution
Table: Annual Popularity Ranking of Girls and Boys Name Harper Since 2004
| 2004 | 2008 | 2018 | |
| **Girls ** | 887 | 4 | Boys |
| 888 | |||