Harris is a name of English origin, derived from the Old German given name Heribert or Haribert. The name means "bright" or "famous army." It is believed to have been brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The name Harris has a long history of usage in Britain and was popular among the nobility during the Middle Ages. Some notable figures with the name Harris include Sir Harry Harris, a 17th-century English pirate, and Harris Tweed, a famous brand of Scottish wool fabric named after the island of Harris in the Outer Hebrides.
Today, Harris is still used as both a first name and a surname throughout the English-speaking world. Despite its historical usage, it remains relatively uncommon compared to other names such as John or William. However, it has gained some popularity recently, particularly among parents seeking unique yet traditional names for their children.
In terms of pronunciation, Harris is typically pronounced with a short "a" sound as in "cat," followed by two syllables: "HAR-is." The name can also be spelled without the final "s," although this spelling is less common. Overall, Harris is an interesting and historic name with a strong meaning and an appealing sound.
The number of births named Harris has shown significant fluctuations over the years. In the late 19th century, there were fewer than 50 births per year on average. However, this began to increase significantly around the early 20th century, reaching a peak in 1913 with 120 births. The trend continued to rise throughout the mid-20th century, peaking again in 2021 with 218 births. Overall, there have been a total of 16,172 births named Harris since 1880.