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HelpThoughts on Harper...
...on a boy?
Personally, I prefer it as a masculine name, it feels more vintage and less trendy.
Do you prefer Harper on a girl or on a boy?
“Dear optimist, pessimist, and realist – while you guys were busy arguing about the glass of wine, I drank it! Sincerely, the opportunist!”
-Lori Greiner
Personally, I prefer it as a masculine name, it feels more vintage and less trendy.
Do you prefer Harper on a girl or on a boy?
“Dear optimist, pessimist, and realist – while you guys were busy arguing about the glass of wine, I drank it! Sincerely, the opportunist!”
-Lori Greiner
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
I like the name generally, but its too trendy to use. If I gave it to my child, she'd be a girl. For a character it would be a boy. There are other unisex names that sound better in my opinion.
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My thoughts regarding this name have been expressed multiple times on here and my opinion will forever be the same. I cannot STAND this name. I downright hate it, which is putting it mildly. I find it harsh, abrasive, and oh so unattractive. I might be in the minority here, but I find it even worst on a boy. which is one reason why I was glad once it fell of the charts for boys.
I know it won't happen among the girl's side any time soon unfortunately, but I sincerely hope it at least drops from the top 10's next year. It's the odd one out in comparison to the other names up there and just doesn't belong in my opinion, and not just because of my disdain for it. Harper is far cry from being a classic, sophisticated and beauty of a name. It has no deeming qualities and even sounds like "heartburn", if that's not bad enough.
The fact that some would praise this name because it makes them think of the Harper Lee: the author of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and of a musical instrument, makes it even worst. First off, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' may be considered a classic, but we're ALL FORCED to read it in school (so really? That doesn't make it special. If anything it's the exact opposite, if you ask me.) And second, Harp may be a musical instrument, yes, but it also brings to mind another word meaning to nag or to bother.
Although I prefer it on girl's (as mentioned previously) despite it's baffling trendiness (thought hopefully not for much longer) I definitely feel it should have remained as a surname. I'm very much not a fan regardless, but it's better as a surname than than as a given name.
There's more I could probably say, but I think it's best I stop here.
I know it won't happen among the girl's side any time soon unfortunately, but I sincerely hope it at least drops from the top 10's next year. It's the odd one out in comparison to the other names up there and just doesn't belong in my opinion, and not just because of my disdain for it. Harper is far cry from being a classic, sophisticated and beauty of a name. It has no deeming qualities and even sounds like "heartburn", if that's not bad enough.
The fact that some would praise this name because it makes them think of the Harper Lee: the author of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and of a musical instrument, makes it even worst. First off, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' may be considered a classic, but we're ALL FORCED to read it in school (so really? That doesn't make it special. If anything it's the exact opposite, if you ask me.) And second, Harp may be a musical instrument, yes, but it also brings to mind another word meaning to nag or to bother.
Although I prefer it on girl's (as mentioned previously) despite it's baffling trendiness (thought hopefully not for much longer) I definitely feel it should have remained as a surname. I'm very much not a fan regardless, but it's better as a surname than than as a given name.
There's more I could probably say, but I think it's best I stop here.
This message was edited 7/30/2022, 9:54 PM
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The dramatic rise in popularity of the name Harper has confused me - not least because To Kill a Mockingbird has become an object of much greater scrutiny over the last few years.
Anyway, I agree Harper sounds more masculine than feminine, but I automatically assume it a girl's name.
Either way, not my style at all. (Do we still use BtN shorthand? NMSAA?)
(Also, the word is harpist for someone who plays the harp...)
Anyway, I agree Harper sounds more masculine than feminine, but I automatically assume it a girl's name.
Either way, not my style at all. (Do we still use BtN shorthand? NMSAA?)
(Also, the word is harpist for someone who plays the harp...)
This message was edited 7/30/2022, 3:07 PM
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Harper is an occuption, such names are almost invariably masculine, cannot think of one that isn't, always thought it sounded harsh and out place on girls, cannot see why its used on girls, don't see the appeal at all. Don't much care for surnames as names, but such used for boys is always preferable.
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I think the Harp is lovely. Beautiful instrument. Harper is better than Piper, I’ll give it that, but it’s still not attractive. I prefer it on a girl, but it’s okay on a boy. I also knew this very bitchy Harper girl a long time ago who now goes by Lee. The more you know.
I’d pair it with something like Harper Annelise.
I’d pair it with something like Harper Annelise.
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My first thought is someone who plays the harp, which also reminds me of angels. I think it’s pretty in that way, and I like -er endings. It’s strictly a girls name to me, it’s just too frilly for a boy. I could see myself using it on a kid.
I do see how it could sound harsh or ugly to some people though. It’s so common on babies now though that there probably won’t even be consequences for its bad sides, unless it somehow becomes memeable like Karen.
I do see how it could sound harsh or ugly to some people though. It’s so common on babies now though that there probably won’t even be consequences for its bad sides, unless it somehow becomes memeable like Karen.
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I prefer it as a word for someone who plays a lovely but difficult musical instrument. To harp can mean to keep on and on talking about the same subject, and a harper is someone who does that. Not something I'd enjoy having stuck to me all my life.
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Most people would probably see it as a feminine sounding name. However, I think it could definitely work on a guy! I prefer it for either or, personally. I like the Harper Lee associations. Also, the harp is a beautiful instrument with a rich sound and history. Despite that, I don’t know I’d use this name on an actual child. Maybe I would, maybe I wouldn’t.
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