Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
RoamingToaster · 15/11/2025 21:04

Harris was ranked 9th most popular name for boys in 2024 in Scotland.

tinytemper66 · 15/11/2025 20:49

Just no

Needmorelego · 15/11/2025 20:49

In a world of girls being named Taylor, Morgan, Riley etc I really don't think anyone will give much thought to a girl named Harris.
It's not to my taste personally but it's not that unusual.

Needmorelego · 15/11/2025 20:47

Trishyb10 · 15/11/2025 18:30

Every day in every situation your child will be asked “What…?and how do you spell it, it will drive her crazy, i,m all for an unusuall name but not something she will be questioned about all the time, could make her a shrinking violet, dont do it x

I don't think Harris is that hard to spell 🤔

SuperBlondie28 · 15/11/2025 20:31

Sorry, but before parents give their child weird names, they should think 'would I want xxxxx for my name? Harris for a girl? Nope!!

firstofallimadelight · 15/11/2025 20:21

No.
Harriet?

ThatAlertLilacFinch · 15/11/2025 20:14

It’s typically a boys name here in Scotland but I don’t hate it for a girl actually. There are nicer names imo though.

Safenotsafe · 15/11/2025 20:13

Carys is a beautiful name - Harris is a boys name or really a surname

Ihatemondays1962 · 15/11/2025 20:09

I know a few Harris' as I am in Scotland. I don't like it for either sex.

Woody2010 · 15/11/2025 20:09

My son is 13 and his name is Harris — we’ve always loved it, and he does too. We’re from Scotland, where Harris is a well-liked and increasingly popular boys’ name. I haven’t heard it used for girls, but if you really like it and have given it proper consideration, go for it!!

Also, some of the comments about the name have really made me laugh, absolutely no offence taken, we can’t all like the same things.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 15/11/2025 20:07

Rolf

TheeNotoriousPIG · 15/11/2025 20:03

Harris makes me think of,
(1) The Scottish island
(2) Tweed
(3) The surname
(4) A popular forename for Muslim boys (in an English school where I used to teach).

I would not want to be a girl called Harris. I had a name which was regularly mistaken for being a boy's... to the point that I got, "Oh, you're a girl!" at a job interview.

If you want a Harri, choose Harriet (though the ones I know all go by Hattie as a nickname). Of your two choices, I'd go for Carys (spelt the Welsh way, as it looks lovely, and all of the ones that I've met so far have been lovely!)

WarrenTofficier · 15/11/2025 20:02

CluelessAboutBiology · 15/11/2025 19:54

Shirley Crabtree (Big Daddy)
Marion Morrison (John Wayne)
Tracy Marrow (Ice-T)

Show quote history

And what do they all have in common?

They ditched their 'girl name' to be known by something else.

stressycat · 15/11/2025 20:02

Someone mistook my name for Harris once and complemented me on it. That was in America though

Themaghag · 15/11/2025 20:00

Needmorelego · 15/11/2025 12:08

What's wrong with that though?

Show quote history

Nothing if you don't mind sharing your name with a Middle Eastern spice!

itsnotfairisit · 15/11/2025 20:00

It’s the sort of name some Americans might like for their daughters. Using a family surname as a first name is quite common. I know a Reed for instance. It was her mother’s maiden name. I think that’s quite a nice thing to do, and in this instance feels like a nice name. Harris could be similar. But not randomly.

Ronathediva13 · 15/11/2025 19:57

It’s a surname. Poor kid. Carys is a lovely name.

CluelessAboutBiology · 15/11/2025 19:54

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 15/11/2025 19:13

Interesting thought from this- can think of lots of woman/girls given a traditionally male name (the various James’, Harpers etc) but I can’t think of a single man/boy with a name that is traditionally female- with the exception of those who identify as a woman/girl.

Shirley Crabtree (Big Daddy)
Marion Morrison (John Wayne)
Tracy Marrow (Ice-T)

XWKD · 15/11/2025 19:54

If she has a sister will you call her Glitter, or Savile, to go with (Rolf) Harris?

SaltedPotato · 15/11/2025 19:43

OvenChick · 15/11/2025 09:42

Too close to arris I.e. arse

Agreed here. I thought about it as a boys name then realised.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 15/11/2025 19:42

RosesAndHellebores · 15/11/2025 09:40

Carpets.

Paint Brushes

drspouse · 15/11/2025 19:39

TheNightingalesStarling · 15/11/2025 09:46

Would you call a boy Katie or Elizabeth?

No, because names almost always move from boys to unisex to girls - once something is mostly associated with girls it becomes tainted for boys, as girl-associated things are low value and hence unmanly.
Evelyn, Marian for example.

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 15/11/2025 19:37

TheNightingalesStarling · 15/11/2025 19:32

Alice Cooper?

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

Show quote history

His real name is Vincent.

HoppityBun · 15/11/2025 19:33

Tweed

Fiddy1964 · 15/11/2025 19:32

Makes me firstly think of my great nephew called Harris.
Then I think of Americans using it as a girls name to try and be cool & quirky which will no doubt catch on.

Swipe left for the next trending thread