What does the name Harper represent?

Q: What does the name Harper mean biblically?

The name Harper stems from the word harp,” a large string musical instrument. In the Bible and artwork, angels were recurrently depicted as using harps as their instruments of choice. Because of this, harps are seen to hold angelic qualities.

Girl name origins & meanings

Old Norse : Whaler

What does Harper mean and stand for?

Harper was first in use as a surname, and came quite literally from the occupation of harp player.

Syllables: 2

Girl name variations

Boy name origins & meanings

Old Norse : Whaler

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

English, Scottish, and Irish : occupational name for a player on the harp, from an agent derivative of Middle English, Middle Dutch harp ‘harp’. The harper was one of the most important figures of a medieval baronial hall, especially in Scotland and northern England, and the office of harper was sometimes hereditary. The Scottish surname is probably an Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Chruiteir ‘son of the harper’ (from Gaelic cruit ‘harp’, ‘stringed instrument’). This surname has long been present in Ireland.

Famous people with this last name

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Popularity

According to Social Security Administration data, Harper has only very recently become a popular name for girls, and did not appear in top name rankings until 2004. It has climbed from position 887 to 9 since 2004, and has been in the top 20 since 2013.

It is the 10th most popular name on FamilyEducation.com.

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Harper was at its peak popularity in February 2019.

Harper was originally more popular as a boy’s name back in the 1800s and early 1900s, but has recently seen extreme popularity as a name for girls starting in the 2000s. Harper Lee, American novelist and author of the classic To Kill a Mockingbird, was born Nelle Harper Lee and is one of the first female uses of Harper we see in recent history. Harper has become more popular with characters by the same name in popular TV shows like Girl Meets World, Gossip Girl, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Lost.

Where Is It Popular?

Nicknames for Harper

Harp
Harps

Pairs well with these middle names

What is the meaning of the name Harper?

The name Harper is primarily a gender-neutral name of English origin that means Harp Player.

Harper was originally an occupational surname for people who played the harp for a living.

Famous people with the name Harper include Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, musicians Harper Goff and Harper Simon, and athletes Harper Williams and Harper LeBel.

Fictional characters with the given name Harper include Harper Connelly from the series by Charlaine Harris (author of the True Blood series). Harper Finkle is a character from The Wizards of Waverly Place, and Harper
Dearing from NCIS.

People who like the name Harper also like:

Oliver, Finn, Liam, Noah, Hudson, Grayson, Owen, Charlotte, Olivia, Amelia, Ava, Hazel, Scarlett, Violet

Names like Harper:

Harbor

Stats for the Name Harper

Songs about Harper

Click button to listen on iTunes

Hats Off to (Roy) Harper - Led Zeppelin

Harper

Origin
Pronunciation
Meaning	harper

Harper is an English, Scottish, and Irish surname that is also commonly used as a given name in the United States.

In some cases, the surname originated from an occupational name, and is derived from the Middle English harper, harpere ("harper"). In other cases, the surname is derived from the Norman le Harpur. The surname can also be derived from the Gaelic Mac Chruiteir ("son of the harper").[1]

Harper is also the Anglicization of the German family name Härpfer, also meaning "harper".

Surname[edit]

A[edit]

Aaron Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Adam Harper, British mathematician
Adrian Harper (born 1985), Irish footballer
Alan Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Alec Harper (1910–2003), British soldier
Alexander Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Alvin Harper (born 1968), American football player
Andrew Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Andy Harper (born 1967), Australian footballer
Anna McCune Harper (1902–1999), American tennis player
Arthur Cyprian Harper (1866–1948), American politician

B[edit]

Bambi Harper, Filipino writer and socialite
Ben Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Bert Harper (1923–1992), Australian rules footballer
Beverley Harper (1943–2002), Australian author
Billy Harper (born 1943), American jazz saxophonist
Bobby Harper (1920–1980), Scottish footballer
Brandon Harper (born 1976), American baseball player
Brett Harper (born 1981), American baseball player
Brian Harper (born 1959), American baseball player
Brian Harper (engineer), Australian engineer
Brian Harper (priest), Irish priest
Bruce Harper (born 1955), American footballer
Bryan Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Bryce Harper (born 1992), American baseball player

C[edit]

Chandler Harper (1914–2004), American golfer
Charles Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Charley Harper (1922–2007), American artist and illustrator
Charlie Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Chris Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Clifford Harper (born 1949), English anarchist and cartoonist
C. Michael Harper (1927–2016), American businessman
Colin Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Cullen Harper (born 1985), American football player

D[edit]

Daniel Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Darrell Harper (1938–2008), American football player
Daryl Harper (born 1951), Australian Test cricket umpire
David Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Dawn Harper (born 1984), American athlete
Dawn Harper (doctor) (born 1963), British television presenter
Dennis Harper, American businessman
Dennis Harper (footballer) (born 1936), English footballer
Dent Harper (1937–1997), New Zealand cricketer
Derek Harper (born 1961), American basketball player
Deveron Harper (born 1977), American football player
Devin Harper (born 1998), American football player
D. J. Harper (born 1989), American football player
Don Harper (1921–1999), Australian composer
Don L. Harper, American composer and conductor
Donald Harper (1932–2017), American diver
Donald C. Harper (1904–1965), Canadian politician
Douglas Harper (born 1948), American historian
Dwayne Harper (born 1966), American football player

E[edit]

Ed Harper (born 1931), Canadian politician
Edward Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Ella Harper (1870–1921), American circus freak known as "The Camel Girl"
Elijah Harper (1949–2013), Canadian politician
Emily Harper (born 1978), American actress
Emma Harper, Scottish politician
Erastus Harper (1854–1927), American politician
Eric Harper (1877–1918), New Zealand rugby union footballer
Ernie Harper (1902–1979), English athlete
Ethel Ernestine Harper (1903–1979), American actress and singer

F[edit]

F. A. Harper (1905–1973), American university professor
Fletcher Harper (1806–1877), American publisher
Frances Harper (1825–1911), American abolitionist and poet
Francis Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Frank Harper (born 1962), English actor and producer
Frederick Harper (1863–1937), New Zealand cricketer

G[edit]

Gavin Harper (born 1986), British technology writer
George Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Gerald Harper (born 1931), English actor
Glenn Harper (born 1962), Canadian football player
Glyn Harper (born 1958), New Zealand military historian
Goodloe Harper Bell (1832–1899), American teacher and educator
Graeme Harper (born 1945), English television director
Graeme Harper (writer), British writer and critic
Gregg Harper (born 1956), American politician

H[edit]

Hannah Harper (born 1982), English pornstar
Harold Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Harry Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Heather Harper (1930–2019), Irish operatic soprano
Henry Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Herbert Harper (cricketer) (1889–1983), English cricketer and umpire
Herbert Reah Harper (1871-1956), Australian electrical engineer
Herbie Harper (1920–2012), American jazz trombonist
Hill Harper (born 1966), American actor

I[edit]

Ian Harper, Australian economist
Ida Husted Harper (1851–1931), American author
Irving Harper (1916–2015), American industrial designer

J[edit]

Jacey Harper (born 1980), Trinidadian sprinter
Jack Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
James Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Jamie Harper (born 1989), American football player
Jared Harper (born 1997), American basketball player
J. C. Harper (born 1965), American football coach
Jeremy Harper, American Guinness World Record holder
Jerry Harper (1934–2001), American basketball player
Jesse Harper (1883–1961), American basketball coach
Jessica Harper (born 1949), American actress and producer
Jill R. Harper (born 1972), American molecular biologist and policy advisor
John Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Jon Harper (born 1978), English musician
Joseph Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Josh Harper (born 1991), American football player
Justin Harper (disambiguation), multiple people

K[edit]

Kalenna Harper (born 1982), American singer-songwriter
Kate Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Keith Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Kellie Harper (born 1977), American basketball player and coach
Kelly Harper (born 1979), American recording artist
Ken Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Kenton Harper (1801–1867), American printer
Kevin Harper (born 1976), Scottish footballer

L[edit]

Laura Harper (cricketer) (born 1984), English cricketer
Laura Harper (basketball) (born 1986), American basketball player
Laurie Harper (born 1970), Australian cricketer
Lee Harper (born 1971), English footballer and manager
Leni Harper (born 1954), British actress
Lloyd Harper (born 1949), Guyanese cricketer
Louis Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Lubbie Harper Jr. (1942–), Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court
Luellyn Harper, American costume designer
Luke Harper (1979–2020), American wrestler
Lynne Harper (1946–1959), Canadian murder victim

M[edit]

Madre Harper (born 1997), American football player
Margaret Harper (1911–2000), American army nurse
Margaret Hilda Harper (1879–1964), Australian pediatrician
Mark Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Martha Matilda Harper (1857–1950), Canadian-American entrepreneur
Marvin Harper (born 1985), South African field hockey player
Mary C. Harper (1929–2012), American politician and educator
Melinda Harper (born 1965), Australian artist
Michael Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Mitch Harper (born 1956), American politician
Morgan Harper (born 1998), New Zealand rugby league player

N[edit]

Nat Harper (1865–1954), Australian politician
Nathan Harper, American police officer
Nick Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Norman Harper (born 1957), British journalist

P[edit]

Patricia Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Peter Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Philip Harper (disambiguation), multiple people

R[edit]

Ray Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Reg Harper, Canadian politician
Rinelle Harper (born 1998), Canadian activist
Rob Harper (born 1955), British musician
Robert Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Robin Harper (born 1940), Scottish politician
Rod Harper (born 1985), American football player
Roger Harper (born 1963), Guyanese cricketer
Roger Harper (American football) (born 1970), American football player
Roland Harper (born 1953), American football player
Roly Harper (1881–1949), English footballer
Roman Harper (born 1982), American football player
Ron Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Rory Harper (born 1950), American writer
Roy Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Ruth Harper (1927–2006), American politician
Ryan Harper (disambiguation), multiple people

S[edit]

Sam Harper, American writer
Sam Harper (cricketer) (born 1996), Australian cricketer
Samuel Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Sarah Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Scott Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Shane Harper (born 1993), American actor
Shannon Harper, American author
Shawn Harper (born 1968), American football player
Skinny Bobby Harper (1939–2003), American disc jockey
Stephen Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Susan Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Sylvia Lance Harper (1895–1982), Australian tennis player

T[edit]

Tanisha Harper (born 1985), Japanese-American model
Ted Harper (1901–1959), English footballer
Terri Harper (born 1996), British boxer
Terry Harper (born 1940), Canadian former ice hockey player
Terry Harper (baseball) (born 1955), American baseball player
Tess Harper (born 1950), American actress
Thomas Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Toni Harper (born 1937), American singer and actress
Travis Harper (born 1976), American baseball player

V[edit]

Valerie Harper (1939–2019), American actress
Vern Harper (1936–2018), Canadian activist
Virginia Harper (1929-1997), American activist

W[edit]

Wally Harper (1941–2004), American composer
Walt Harper (1926–2006), American jazz pianist
Walter Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Warren Harper (1932–1997), American football coach
William Harper (disambiguation), multiple people
Willie Harper (born 1950), American football player
Winard Harper (born 1962), American drummer
Winnifred Harper Cooley (1874–1967), American author

People with the given name[edit]

Harper Goff (1911–1993), American musician
Harper LeBel (born 1963), American football player
Harper Lee (1926–2016), American novelist
Harper Simon (born 1972), American singer-songwriter
Harper Williams (born 1971), American basketball player

Fictional characters with the surname[edit]

Several characters in the American sitcom Mama's Family:
- Ellen Harper
- Naomi Harper
- Thelma Harper
- Vinton "Vint" Harper
Several characters in the British sitcom My Family:
- Ben Harper
- Janey Harper
- Michael Harper (My Family)
- Nick Harper
- Susan Harper (My Family)
Several characters in the American sitcom Two and a Half Men:
- Alan Harper (Two and a Half Men)
- Charlie Harper (Two and a Half Men)
- Evelyn Harper (Two and a Half Men)
- Jake Harper (Two and a Half Men)
Ben "Beanie" Harper, character in the television series Love of Life
Cally Harper Ewing, character in the television series Dallas
David Harper (General Hospital), character in the television series General Hospital
Dick Harper, character in the 1977 film Fun with Dick and Jane and the 2005 remake
Harry Harper (Casualty), character in the television series Casualty
Holly Harper, character in the television series Brothers & Sisters
Jack Harper (disambiguation), several characters
Jane Harper, character in the 1977 film Fun with Dick and Jane and the 2005 remake
Jess Harper, character from the 1958 NBC Western series Laramie. Played by Robert Fuller.
Joe Harper, character in the novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Johnny Harper, character in the television series The O.C.
Kate Harper (The West Wing), character on the television show The West Wing
Molly Harper, character in the film Final Destination 5
Owen Harper, one of the main protagonists in the television series Torchwood
Patrick Harper (fiction), character in the television series Sharpe
Sally Harper, character in the BBC comedy Coupling
Seamus Zelazny Harper, character in the television series Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda
Steven Harper (Boston Public), character in the television series Boston Public
Ty Harper, character in the television series Neighbours
Rebecca Harper, character in the television series Brothers & Sisters
Roy Harper (comics), DC Comics character
Wade Harper, character in two episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger. Played by Robert Fuller.
Will Harper, character in the television series EastEnders
William Harper Littlejohn, character in the Doc Savage novels by Lester Dent

Fictional characters with the given name[edit]

Harper Avery, surgeon that the Harper Avery Award is named after and grandfather of Jackson Avery in Grey's Anatomy
Harper Connelly, title character of The Harper Connelly Mysteries novels by Charlaine Harris
Harper Dearing, businessman-turned-terrorist and main villain in the 10th season of NCIS
Harper Decker Simmons, character in the film Parental Guidance
Harper Pitt, character in the Pulitzer Prize winning Angels in America
Harper Finkle, character in the sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place
Harper Lee Burgess, supporting character in the sitcom Girl Meets World
Harper Stanhope, character in Lost
Harper Whitley, character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street
Harper Burke, the eldest child and ten-year-old daughter of Audrey Burke and the late Brian Burke, in Things We Lost in the Fire
Harper Stewart, character in the 1999 film The Best Man
Harper, one of two twin sisters of the Trial Captain Lana in Pokémon Sun and Moon

References[edit]

^ Hanks, P; Coates, R; McClure, P, eds. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Vol. 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-879882-8.

What does the name Harper mean biblically?

The name Harper stems from the word “harp,” a large string musical instrument. In the Bible and artwork, angels were recurrently depicted as using harps as their instruments of choice. Because of this, harps are seen to hold angelic qualities.

What does the name Harper mean personality?

Harper is a name that indicates a gift of gab - the ability to persuade others effortlessly. You are expressive, optimistic, outgoing, and inspiring. Charming and cheerful, you are the life of the party for any social event. You fascinate others with your creativity, especially in writing.

What ethnicity is the name Harper?

Harper is an English, Scottish, and Irish surname that is also commonly used as a given name in the United States. In some cases, the surname originated from an occupational name, and is derived from the Middle English harper, harpere ("harper"). In other cases, the surname is derived from the Norman le Harpur.

Is the name Harper a good name?

If you come from a musical family and want to share it with baby, then Harper is a sweet choice. This gender-neutral British name means "harpist" or "minstrel." In Medieval England, minstrels were traveling entertainers and musicians who would recite poetry to music.