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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Harris…for a girl?

313 replies

tiramisufiend · 15/11/2025 09:38

AIBU?

I misheard the name “Karis” a few weeks ago and thought, ‘Harris as a girl’s name, how cool.’

I’ve done some superficial research and it seems that Harris is mostly used a boy’s first name, if at all, as it is a surname, really.

But I think it’s very fresh and cosmopolitan, and I like the unisex vibe.

What comes to mind when you think of a girl called Harris? Thoughts welcome!

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allthegoodusernameshavegone · 15/11/2025 09:49

TheNightingalesStarling · 15/11/2025 09:46

Would you call a boy Katie or Elizabeth?

What a daft comment, they are not known unisex names.

Edinburghdaze · 15/11/2025 09:49

tiramisufiend · 15/11/2025 09:48

😁looks like its an almost unanimous no

Haha!

Fridayismyfunday · 15/11/2025 09:49

Tweed.
When I hear of girls with boys names I assume the parents really, really wanted a boy and having picked a boys name they loved couldn’t be bothered to come up with a girl’s name.

martha4clark · 15/11/2025 09:49

Harris is a boys name in Scotland, pretty popular. It would be like calling a girl Mark.

ConnieHeart · 15/11/2025 09:49

I know a girl called Harriet who shortens it to Harri. But that's as far as I'd go

usedtobeaylis · 15/11/2025 09:49

I think that's lovely actually.

Edit: I live in Scotland and have never met a single Harris and only one Harry😆

MsGinaLinetti · 15/11/2025 09:48

as in rolf?
or tweed?
or taxi?

Original poster
tiramisufiend · 15/11/2025 09:48

😁looks like its an almost unanimous no

OP posts:
MrsKateColumbo · 15/11/2025 09:48

I prefer Carys which is pretty and has a lovely meaning.

Harris - i dont think sounds as nice. I know a Hari short for Angharad which is beautiful.

LilyGeorge · 15/11/2025 09:48

tiramisufiend · 15/11/2025 09:44

I agree! I know 2 girls called Karis (5 and 14 years old) and there were a few in my school years (South London)

Show quote history

Depending on the spelling Karis/Carys is Greek or Welsh origin, and means either grace or love.

Harris is a place, and a surname, so also a real name.

As per a pp, common in Scotland for boys.

ResusciAnnie · 15/11/2025 09:47

First thought is Kamala.

I don’t mind ‘boy’ names for girls, or surnames as name, but Harris doesn’t do it for me.

DarkEyedSailor · 15/11/2025 09:47

Harris Tweed. Or a boy's name.

catontheironingboard · 15/11/2025 09:47

Oh no, please don’t do that to the poor child!

Harris makes me think of tweedy jackets. It’s a name you’d call a terrier, not a daughter.

HollyGolightly4 · 15/11/2025 09:47

Notmyreality · 15/11/2025 09:42

Harris is better than Karis. What kind of name is that?

Karis comes from the greek 'Charis' meaning beauty, or it's a variant of the much nicer spelling Carys which is Welsh.

Harris for a girl is awful.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 15/11/2025 09:46

Carys is just a Welsh girls' name isn't it? Any girl called Harris is going to spend her life being called Harry and everyone assuming she's a boy before they first meet her.

TheNightingalesStarling · 15/11/2025 09:46

Would you call a boy Katie or Elizabeth?

Kingsleadhat · 15/11/2025 09:46

Harris was a girl's name in the Rosesanne spinoff sitcom The Conners. I'm not much on surnames as first names, but I quite liked this one

Edinburghdaze · 15/11/2025 09:45

Notmyreality · 15/11/2025 09:42

Harris is better than Karis. What kind of name is that?

Karis or Caris is at least a recognised girls name.

Roverbarks · 15/11/2025 09:45

Oh gosh, despite my initial reaction to the name, I just realised I do know a lady called Haris.

But she is Greek so not sure if it’s a girls name in Greece.

DaisyChain505 · 15/11/2025 09:45

No

Zempy · 15/11/2025 09:44

Nope

Original poster
tiramisufiend · 15/11/2025 09:44

Notmyreality · 15/11/2025 09:42

Harris is better than Karis. What kind of name is that?

I agree! I know 2 girls called Karis (5 and 14 years old) and there were a few in my school years (South London)

OP posts:
Notmyreality · 15/11/2025 09:44

I actually don’t mind it for a girl. At least people will know how to spell it.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 15/11/2025 09:44

I like it, it is refreshing.

Roverbarks · 15/11/2025 09:43

ActYourAge · 15/11/2025 09:41

It's daft and made up

Yet a common first name in Scotland…