"son of Harry, home ruler"
Origin: English
Language: English
Harris
Pronunciation: [ h-EHR-ihs ]
Does Harris flow with your last name?
A sharp British surname name with strong presidential echoes
English
American
Scottish
Strong
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Bold
Sophisticated
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Meaning & Origin
"Harry's son, son of the ruler"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
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The Story of Harris
Harris is an English and Scottish surname meaning 'son of Harry,' derived from Harry, a medieval English form of Henry. Henry itself comes from the Germanic 'Heimirich,' meaning 'home ruler.' Harris became a common surname in the British Isles and eventually crossed over as a given name in American usage.
Harris has been steadily rising as a given name for boys in the US and UK, fitting the trend toward surname names. It feels more distinctive than Harrison while being equally strong. The name is particularly fashionable in Britain where surname-as-first-name has a long tradition.
Harris is a common Scottish surname associated with the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, famous for Harris Tweed. In American history, Harris County, Texas (containing Houston) and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania preserve the name. Senator Kamala Harris brought a new dimension to the Harris name in American politics.
Historical Record
Harris first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 8,672 babies have been named Harris in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Harris is past its peak , currently ranked #1,322 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Harris Tweed, one of the world's most famous woven textiles, comes from the Isle of Harris in Scotland
- Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd US President; his grandson was also named Benjamin Harrison
- Harris is one of the 20 most common surnames in Wales, reflecting its deep British roots
Harris in Other Languages
Welsh
Harris
English
Harris
American
Harris
Scottish
Harris
Popularity Over Time
#1,322
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Harris
N
Neil Patrick Harris
Actor
1973
American actor best known as Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother and for his Broadway work
H
Harris Faulkner
Entertainer
1965
American television journalist and news anchor at Fox News, five-time Emmy Award winner
R
Rolf Harris
Entertainer
1930
Australian entertainer and television personality — note: convicted of sexual assault crimes in 2014
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Compare Harris with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,322
- Total SSA Count
- 147
- Cultural Origins
- English American Scottish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Harry
Hare
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Harris
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Harris is also used as a girl name, ranked #9371.
View Harris as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Harris
What does the name Harris mean?
"son of Harry, home ruler" (from English). "Harry's son, son of the ruler" (from Germanic). Harris is an English and Scottish surname meaning 'son of Harry,' derived from Harry, a medieval English form of Henry. Henry itself comes from the Germanic 'Heimirich,' meaning 'home ruler.' Harris became a common surname in the British Isles and eventually crossed over as a given name in American usage.
What is the origin of the name Harris?
Harris has English, Germanic, American, and Scottish origins. In English, it means "son of Harry, home ruler". In Germanic, it means "Harry's son, son of the ruler".
Is Harris a boy or girl name?
Harris is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1322. As a girl name, it is ranked #9371. Harris is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Harris?
Harris is pronounced h-EHR-ihs.
How popular is the name Harris?
Harris is currently ranked #1322 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Harris?
Common nicknames for Harris include Harry and Hare.
What are good middle names for Harris?
Popular middle name pairings include Harris James, Harris William, Harris George, Harris Thomas, Harris Edward, Harris John, and Harris Frederick.
What are good sibling names for Harris?
Names that pair well with Harris as siblings include Fletcher, Morrison, Greer, Sloane, Wren, Collins, Elliott, and Marlowe.
How many syllables does Harris have?
Harris has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Harris a common or rare name?
Harris is an uncommon name, ranked #1322 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Harris?
About the Name Harris
Harris is a boy name with English, American, and Scottish origins . The name means "son of Harry, home ruler" in English .
Is Harris a boy or girl name? Harris is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,322 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #9,371. Harris is more commonly used as a boy name.
Harris is currently ranked #1,322 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Harris has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-EHR-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Harris include Harry and Hare. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Harris include Harrison, Harry . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis