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Baby names

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

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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1Messycoo · 16/11/2025 04:09

Notmyreality · 15/11/2025 09:42

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

Karis is actually Cerys = Welsh name

Mumofteenandtween · 16/11/2025 04:07

Mumofteenandtween · 16/11/2025 04:01

His real name is Brian!

And it turns out that Alice Cooper was originally called Vincent! Alice Cooper was the name of the band he was in and then when the band disbanded he legally changed his name to it.

I am now imagining Harry Styles as One Direction and Gary Barlow as Take That.

Mumofteenandtween · 16/11/2025 04:01

ladygindiva · 15/11/2025 23:04

Marilyn Manson

His real name is Brian!

Lurleenlumpkin79 · 16/11/2025 03:38

I really like the name Harlow for a girl. When I used to be a TA in a school, we had a Harlow and she really suited the name.

ErinBell01 · 16/11/2025 01:16

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!

I quite like it, I don't mind it's been used as a surname. Both of my kids, a boy and a girl have names that are Scottish surnames, although they're quite commonly used as first names. Cameron Diaz has a name predominantly used as a boy's name.

ladygindiva · 15/11/2025 23:04

TheNightingalesStarling · 15/11/2025 19:32

Alice Cooper?

But yes... he is pretty much the only one.

Marilyn Manson

Puzzledfrazzled1 · 15/11/2025 22:38

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.

It is a Greek female name and it actually means someone with elegance.

Viviennemary · 15/11/2025 22:15

Its dreadful.

Bibbitybobbity70 · 15/11/2025 22:14

Lots of Harris in Scotland...all boys. I'd assume parents were either trying to be clever or (more likely) just ignorant of the history of name

Calliopespa · 15/11/2025 22:11

HughGrantsfurrysquirrel · 15/11/2025 22:06

Naturally it's your choice, but how about 'Harriet' as a compromise?? Prettier and more feminine.
'Harris' sounds very manly. Quite nice for a boy though - unless of course your surname also happens to be Harris!! 😅

I love Harriet - Harriette even more so - but it's such a different vibe from a name like Harris for a girl.

tinytemper66 · 15/11/2025 22:08

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)

Carys is better than Karis.

HughGrantsfurrysquirrel · 15/11/2025 22:06

Naturally it's your choice, but how about 'Harriet' as a compromise?? Prettier and more feminine.
'Harris' sounds very manly. Quite nice for a boy though - unless of course your surname also happens to be Harris!! 😅

SirChenjins · 15/11/2025 22:05

Standard boy's name up here, just like Iona is a standard girl's name. No need to mix the 2.

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 15/11/2025 22:03

Harris Tweed
Perhaps Tweed could be the child's middle name.
Or to continue the Scottish theme

What about Angus or Mungo.

Or Rab after Rab C. Nesbitt.

Go for it Folks.

The sky's the limit.

BatchCookBabe · 15/11/2025 21:58

SharonBe · 15/11/2025 21:36

I was replying to the question, what kind of name is Carys. I believe I quoted that?

Oh yes, I'm sorry. Blush I see you were saying Carys, not Harris. Apologies!

Calliopespa · 15/11/2025 21:41

hairbearbunches · 15/11/2025 10:50

I can imagine friends elongating it to Harissa 😮

😂

I was getting quite bored of MN then suddenly there's a gem like this!

Calliopespa · 15/11/2025 21:38

Wishimaywishimight · 15/11/2025 09:43

Tweed

Yup, Harris tweed for me too.

SharonBe · 15/11/2025 21:36

BatchCookBabe · 15/11/2025 21:35

Harry doesn't mean love in Welsh. It means home ruler. And it's not a girl's name!

.

Edited

I was replying to the question, what kind of name is Carys. I believe I quoted that?

BatchCookBabe · 15/11/2025 21:35

SharonBe · 15/11/2025 21:27

It's a Welsh name - it means "love".

I like Harris for a girl too.

Harry doesn't mean love in Welsh. It means home ruler. And it's not a girl's name!

.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 15/11/2025 21:31

After the island, well that's ' sweet ' if she was conceived there.

Why would you want to consider a unisex name, she's a girl / female and always will be as that's how she was born.

I guess that's where the surname Harrison originated from - son of Harris

SharonBe · 15/11/2025 21:27

Notmyreality · 15/11/2025 09:42

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

It's a Welsh name - it means "love".

I like Harris for a girl too.

BatchCookBabe · 15/11/2025 21:25

BunnyLake · 15/11/2025 21:15

I immediately thought of arse. I don’t like it. For a girl it’s truly horrible.

Yeah, this. ^

RavenhairedRachel · 15/11/2025 21:24

It's stupid poor kid will get called arse.

NotMeNorI · 15/11/2025 21:19

I seem to be in the minority, but I actually like it? Not as much as Cerys, though!

BunnyLake · 15/11/2025 21:15

I immediately thought of arse. I don’t like it. For a girl it’s truly horrible.