How Many People Are Named Harper?

Complete statistics for the name Harper: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Harper
Uncommon
Old English

Harper means 'harp player' and has origins in Old English, making it both rare and rich in history. It's estimated that 1 in 2,405 Americans today are named Harper, totaling around 137,201 people. With its peak popularity in 2016, it's clear Harper is a rising star among modern names.

~119,191
Living in US
1 in 2,781
Americans
2016
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
Harp player
🌐
Origin
Old English
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 3
Personality Traits
Creative Independent Adventurous
3
Life Path Number

Life-path number 3 symbolizes creativity, self-expression, and joy.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

137,288
Worldwide Bearers
#144,739
Global Rank
🇺🇸 United States
137,201
🇦🇺 Australia
14
🇲🇾 Malaysia
12
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
8
🇷🇺 Russia
8
🇮🇳 India
7
🇹🇷 Turkey
3
🇰🇷 South Korea
3
🇧🇷 Brazil
3
🇮🇪 Ireland
2

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
5,863 (4%)
♀ Female
131,338 (96%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 10
137,233
Would be under 30 (99%)
744
Would be 30–60 (1%)
929
Would be over 60 (1%)

All 138,906 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 2016

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Rising

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
99
Classic Feel
34
Modern Appeal
86
International
5

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Harper Through the Generations

Harper's journey through the generations shows a strong presence in recent years, with 11,101 births in 2016 marking its peak. Today, most people named Harper are under 30, indicating its status as a genuinely modern choice. The age distribution reveals 137,233 under-30s, 744 aged 30-60, and 929 over 60, painting a picture of a name that's here to stay but still very much in vogue.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

Texas 10,971
California 9,211
Ohio 6,386
Florida 6,122
Pennsylvania 5,559
New York 5,288
North Carolina 5,245
Georgia 4,820
Michigan 4,790
Illinois 4,491

⭐ Famous People Named Harper

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

Full list on Wikipedia →

✨ Similar Names to Harper

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Harper's Old English roots

📄 About the Name Harper

How Many People Have the Name Harper?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 119,191 people in the United States currently share the name Harper. That works out to roughly 1 in every 2,781 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.

Is Harper a Common or Rare Name?

Harper is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Harper Mean?

Harper means "harp player" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 3.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Harper in SSA data, approximately 4% are male and 96% are female.

When Was Harper Most Popular?

The name Harper reached peak popularity in 2016, with 11,101 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Harper?

Approximately 119,191 people named Harper live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 119,191. That works out to roughly 1 in 2,781 Americans.

Is Harper a rare name?

Harper is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 2,781 Americans has this name.

What does the name Harper mean?

Harper means "harp player" and comes from Old English origins.

Is Harper more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 4% of people named Harper are male and 96% are female.

When was Harper most popular?

Harper peaked in 2016 with 11,101 births that year. Current trend: Rising.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US119,191
All-Time Births119,191
1 in X1 in 2,781
RarityUncommon
GenderFemale
Avg Age10
Peak Year2016
World Rank#144,739
Male %4%
Female %96%

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Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.