Editing Harper (section)

== History and Usage ==

=== As a Surname ===

Harper has a long history as an English surname. Notable historical bearers include families throughout Britain and Ireland. The name spread to [[North America]], [[Australia]], and other English-speaking regions through emigration.

=== As a Given Name ===

While Harper was occasionally used as a first name in earlier centuries, its widespread adoption as a given name accelerated in the early 2000s. The name was used for both boys and girls but became particularly associated with girls by the 2010s.

In the [[United States]], Harper entered the top 1,000 baby names for girls in 2004 and climbed dramatically in popularity throughout the following decade. By the early 2020s, it had become one of the top 10 most popular girls' names in the country.