Namewise

Garth vs Harper

Garth and Harpercompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.

Head to head

Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.

  • England and Wales · Boys

    In 2010, Garth was ranked #4678 and Harper #897 among boys in England and Wales.

Side by side

Side-by-side comparison of Garth, Harper
FieldGarthHarper
Record typeOfficial statistical record (evidence-only)Editorially researched profile
Gender usagemalefemale
MeaningNot yet recordedAn English occupational surname for someone who played or made harps, from Old English 'hearpe'. Popularized as a given name partly through author Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird.
OriginNot yet recordedEnglish (occupational surname)
PronunciationNot yet recorded/ˈhɑɹ.pəɹ/
Syllables12
Common variants / nicknamesNot yet recordedNot yet recorded
Recorded regional usageGB-ENW, GB-NIR, IEAU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ
Most recent popularity observationEngland and Wales · Boys #4678 (2010)New South Wales, Australia · Girls #15 (2025)
Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score)Not yet recorded90/100
Spelling simplicity (demonstration score)94/10088/100
International familiarity (demonstration score)100/100100/100
Data Confidencemediummedium

What the data shows

  • Harper has a recorded origin (English (occupational surname)); Garth does not have one recorded yet.
  • Garth has 1 syllable, compared with 2 for Harper.
  • A meaning is recorded for Harper; Garth doesn't have one written yet.
  • Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE.

How each name got here

Garth

Popularity journey

  1. First recorded1978

    First recorded at #326 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1978 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.

    Republic of Ireland · Boys

  2. Highest recorded1998–1999

    Highest recorded position: #240 among boys in Northern Ireland, in 1998 (recorded 1998–1999).

    Northern Ireland · Boys

  3. Most recent2010

    Most recently recorded at #4678 among boys in England and Wales, in 2010.

    England and Wales · Boys

Harper

Popularity journey

  1. First recorded1999

    First recorded at #2425 among boys in England and Wales in 1999 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.

    England and Wales · Boys

  2. Highest recorded2012–2023

    Highest recorded position: #2 among girls in New Zealand, in 2017 (recorded 2012–2023).

    New Zealand · Girls

  3. Most recent2025

    Most recently recorded at #15 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 2025.

    New South Wales, Australia · Girls