Alternatives to Harper

Mormon supermodel Pyper America Smith Holder brought this spelling into the public eye. Pyper's younger brother is also a model, Lucky Blue Smith.

This common German-Jewish surname is a fast riser among boys but lately has been picked up by parents of girls as well. Notable figures with the surname include designer Jonathan Adler, Freud contemporary Alfred Adler, and decorator Frances Adler Elkins and her brother, architect David Adler.

Windsor may have male references, such as Britain's royal House of Windsor and a tie's windsor knot, but this name also has a definite feminine feel, as in Windsor Rose. That seems appropriate, as Windsor is used equally these days for boys and girls. Nicknames might include Win, Wind, Windy, and Winnie.

Long before the vogue of using Irish surnames for girls, writer Flannery O'Connor gave this one some visibility. It has a warm (flannelly) feel and the currently popular three-syllable ee-ending sound.

Meyer, traditionally used as a masculine name or surname, has German and Jewish origins meaning 'farmer,' 'dairy farmer,' or 'estate manager.' Its use as a feminine given name is quite uncommon, representing a modern trend of repurposing surnames or traditionally masculine names for girls. The name carries connections to important Jewish cultural and religious history, as it was a common surname among Jewish families throughout Europe. When used for girls, Meyer offers a strong, distinctive option with professional connotations. The name's crisp sound and historical depth provide substance, while its unusual application for females offers uniqueness. Meyer might appeal to parents seeking gender-neutral naming options with historical significance.

Bridger follows one of the recent trendy name formulas: a brisk first syllable + -er ending + history as a surname. It recently broke through the top 1000 on the boys side, but Bridger remains a rarity for girls. The similarity to familiar feminine name Bridget makes it viable for a daughter.

Bridger could work as a name for a baby whose heritage bridges multiple cultures.

Grey is the more common spelling in Britain and Australia. This color name has a softness and ambiguity which makes it equally lovely for a boy or a girl.

Kensington is a place name with a number of referents; there are cities by the name in Australia, Canada, South Africa, the UK, and the US. As a girls' name, it entered the US Top 1000 in 2015, likely as a fresher way to get to nickname Kensie/Kenzie than Mackenzie, Mckenzie, or Makenzie.

We've seen Haven take off as a nouveau girls' name; Harbor could follow in its wake.

With Brooklyn, Trenton, and Camden on the rise, Harlem can't be far behind. It's already been picked by one celebrity, and it certainly has a strong historical and cultural identity -- not to mention its similarity to other popular choices like Harley and Harper.

This mostly male choice technically achieves unisex status in the US, where it was used for girls in about 18% of cases last year. Hart technically refers to a male deer, but modern parents are using it as an, ahem, heartfelt first and middle name for their children.

Tailored English surname that could appeal to parents who like Holland, Harper, and Harley.

Familiar English surname now associated with the Abercrombie & Fitch offshoot.

An old-fashioned term for a coal miner, or nowadays, a sister to Harper and Piper.

Bailer is an unusual feminine name that appears to have originated as an occupational surname referring to someone who bailed water or worked as a bailiff. As a first name, Bailer is extremely rare, representing a modern trend of adopting surnames or occupational terms as given names. It has a strong, practical sound that some parents might find appealing for its uniqueness. The name doesn't have traditional gender associations, though it's occasionally used for girls. With its English language roots, Bailer might appeal to parents seeking an uncommon name with a straightforward pronunciation. There's little historical precedent for its use as a feminine name, making it a truly distinctive choice in contemporary naming practices.

Easy nickname Maggie makes Maguire an appealing option for girls.

An intriguing surname option with ties to the natural world and to cool names like Hollis and Holland. But beware: another origin of the surname is from Old French horier meaning "pimp, brothel keeper".

Thayer sounds like a modern update '90s success-story Taylor — although it's much rarer and will likely never reach Taylor's heights. It is also reminiscent of currently trendy Thea, which could also be used as a nickname.

Bailor is an uncommon feminine name with English origins, functioning historically as an occupational surname for someone who served as a bailiff or official. As a first name, Bailor carries connotations of authority and responsibility, reflecting its administrative heritage. The name has a distinctive sound that combines strength and elegance, making it stand out in contemporary naming trends. While relatively rare in most English-speaking countries, Bailor appeals to parents seeking a name with historical substance and a professional tone. Its uniqueness means bearers of this name are unlikely to encounter others sharing it in their social circles.

With a fun, lively sound and a great namesake in programming pioneer, computer scientist and United States Navy rear admiral Grace Hopper, this is one of the coolest new surname names for girls.