Opinion on a possible boy name?

aeonish · November 2011

I'm a little bit terrified to ask this on the Names board (probably because i already know what they'll say lol), so I'll start here.

What do you think of Harper as a boy's name?

We had our minds set on Harper when we thought we were having a girl, despite how ridiculously popular it is right now because we loved it so much and it went so well with DS' name (Harrison).

Then we found out we were having a boy and I was all disappointed because we couldn't use the name anymore. And we've been almost completely unable to come up with another boy's name that we both love.

So, I started thinking, Harper is actually a unisex name, and started off as a boy's name that slowly got adopted by girls. I didn't really think about using it for a boy until I saw a male character on a tv show named Harper, lol.

So what do you think? Is it one of those male names that's been completely taken over by girls, like Whitney (my name lol), Kelly, and Alexis? Or is it one of those that could go either way, like Hayden, Morgan, or Tracy?

Do you think he might run into trouble when he's older and he's in school with 2 or 3 other Harpers that are all girls?

ClaireOtoms · November 2011

aeonish:
Do you think he might run into trouble when he's older and he's in school with 2 or 3 other Harpers that are all girls??

Sorry, but this is kind of what I am thinking will happen. ?If it wasn't so wildly popular right now, I'd say go for it, because it could definitely work. ?However, with all the female Harpers who will be running around, it might be a bad idea. ?

It is a great name though. ??

Belizelovers · November 2011

I don't hate it but my I am also being skewed by a pregnant friend who is naming there girl Harper!

blueshamrock7 · November 2011

I didn't realize how popular it was. I don't know any little girls (or little boys) named Harper. I am the kind of person who could care less if a name is trendy or not, but if it is mostly used as a girl name, I would be nervous to use it for my boy... only because I wouldn't want him getting teased. Disregarding that, I only know one "Harper" and that is a man who is referred to as his last name, which is Harper lol. So I associate it with a guy, anyway!

Middlesnpoddles · November 2011

I've only heard it as a girls name.. And it's so popular with girls right now. I like it better on a boy though, honestly.

Just for backup, Have you thought about similar names? Holden, Hayden, etc.?

easjer05 · November 2011

I personally don't care for it, and I do think that you're more likely to run into girls named Harper of roughly the same age due to the popularity. Would that be wholly tragic? Nah, probably not, but it's up to you how much that would bother you.

aeonish · November 2011

AutLuke:
Just for backup, Have you thought about similar names? Holden, Hayden, etc.?

We have a niece on DH's side the same age as Harrison named Hayden, lol. And DH LOVES the name Holden, but I don't really care for it.

Jewelybug · November 2011

aeonish:
Do you think he might run into trouble when he's older and he's in school with 2 or 3 other Harpers that are all girls?

Unfortunately, I agree with the pp. It's such a shot in the dark about popular names. My name is Amanda, and when I was in school there were at least 3 Amanda's in every class I was in. I have a friend who's 6 year old is named Isabella and somehow she has managed to get through a few grades with being the only Isabella in her grade.

But, I do think it might be hard to shake it if there end up being girls in his grade (or school) with the same name.

cathurrin · November 2011

I guess Harper isn't as popular in AZ cause I haven't heard it. In the end, its YOUR baby, and you're the one living with him calling him by his name, so who cares. I personally think its a cute name for a boy! Its unique and I've never heard of someone getting teased over their name. Lol

ACC0512 · November 2011

It is a girl name, and unlike using a typically boy name on a girl...a boy will get made fun of for having a name that is considered feminine.

aeonish · November 2011

ACC0512:
It is a girl name, and unlike using a typically boy name on a girl...a boy will get made fun of for having a name that is considered feminine.

Well, no... it's not. It's an old boys name that happens to be more popular for girls right now. But any kids his age that are likely to tease him won't know that if they only time they ever hear it is for a girl, so I guess you're right.

allisonmarie22 · November 2011

I love the name for a girl. I would steer clear since you're having a boy. It's becoming more popular and (like you already mentioned) I think that the likelihood of all the other Harpers he may know being girls is high.

mrs+harlow · November 2011

I don't care for it for a boy or a girl...honestly. It reminds me of Harper's Ham.

ACC0512 · November 2011

aeonish:
ACC0512:
It is a girl name, and unlike using a typically boy name on a girl...a boy will get made fun of for having a name that is considered feminine.
Well, no... it's not. It's an old boys name that happens to be more popular for girls right now. But any kids his age that are likely to tease him won't know that if they only time they ever hear it is for a girl, so I guess you're right.

Ha ha, am I right or am I wrong? LOL. I think that it's a girls name if it's popularity is with girls.

lindy27 · November 2011

What about Parker?

Harper is up almost to up 100 in popularity in girls name last year, and this year I'm sure it will go even higher. I would steer clear of using it as a boys name, I actually think it is a better boys name, but it is getting used a lot for girls and I have only heard of girl Harpers.

aeonish · November 2011

Thanks ladies, you guys pretty much just reiterated all my fears. I'm really bummed because I love the name, and DH and I can't agree on anything else, but I also don't want LO to feel embarrassed or get teased 10 years from now when he's in school with 5 other female Harpers.

sapgirl76 · November 2011

I know I'm late to the party, but DH has a "unisex" name that skews girl- Jody. It has caused him more frustration and embarrassment over the years, to the point where he has considered changing it. People automatically assume he's a girl when they see the name. He's about to enter a female-dominated field (elementary education) where being a male can actually open a lot of doors for him. He's considering going by his middle name on his resume just so he'll actually get phone calls about jobs.

aeonish · November 2011

sapgirl76:
I know I'm late to the party, but DH has a "unisex" name that skews girl- Jody. It has caused him more frustration and embarrassment over the years, to the point where he has considered changing it. People automatically assume he's a girl when they see the name. He's about to enter a female-dominated field (elementary education) where being a male can actually open a lot of doors for him. He's considering going by his middle name on his resume just so he'll actually get phone calls about jobs.

Thanks for this. This is pretty much exactly what I'm afraid of. I know people say "It's your child, name him what you want", but I actually think that it's rather selfish to not consider the child's future when choosing a name. I guess DH and I will have to keep looking.

momofabigailanne · November 2011

Sorry but Harper is a girls name - not gender neutral at all. It is an old name: Think Harper's Bazaar, Harper Collins, Harper Lee - all women. (Can you tell I loved this name before it became too popular too!)

momofabigailanne · November 2011

ACC0512:
aeonish:
ACC0512:
It is a girl name, and unlike using a typically boy name on a girl...a boy will get made fun of for having a name that is considered feminine.
Well, no... it's not. It's an old boys name that happens to be more popular for girls right now. But any kids his age that are likely to tease him won't know that if they only time they ever hear it is for a girl, so I guess you're right.
Ha ha, am I right or am I wrong? LOL. I think that it's a girls name if it's popularity is with girls.

It is actually an old GIRS's name! Think: Harper's Bazaar, Harper Collins, Harper Lee - ALL WOMEN.

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