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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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Needmorelego · 15/11/2025 12:52

Arlanymor · 15/11/2025 12:34

Cockney rhyming slang for arse...and Rolf.

Harris and Arse don't rhyme though 🤔
The Rolf Harris link is ridiculous because it's a common surname which 1000s of people have.

LittleGreenDuck · 15/11/2025 12:51

I don't hate it, but I don't think I'd use it, given the choice of all the names in the world.

I know one, a little boy of Indian heritage.

Arlanymor · 15/11/2025 12:34

Cockney rhyming slang for arse...and Rolf.

Edinburghdaze · 15/11/2025 12:30

usedtobeaylis · 15/11/2025 11:21

That's one year, as a pattern it's not mainstream. 240-odd boys in one year out of 25,000 doesn't make it anywhere near mainstream.

Edited

It kinda does 😂

Needmorelego · 15/11/2025 12:23

WarrenTofficier · 15/11/2025 12:17

Harissa paste.

Edited

I don't really know what that is....
I am guessing some kind of cooking ingredient 🤔. I can't imagine the average kid/teen would connect the name Harris with it.
Seriously to a baby born today and named Harris - his or hers contemporaries really would not think anything of it.

WarrenTofficier · 15/11/2025 12:17

Needmorelego · 15/11/2025 12:14

Ok... there's obviously a joke/meaning that's gone over my head 😂

Harissa paste.

Needmorelego · 15/11/2025 12:14

WarrenTofficier · 15/11/2025 12:13

I'd give them a good pasting if they did.

Ok... there's obviously a joke/meaning that's gone over my head 😂

tsmainsqueeze · 15/11/2025 12:14

I can never understand why someone would pick a name like this or something similar for a girl when there is an endless choice of beautiful sounding names out there.

80smonster · 15/11/2025 12:13

Makes me think of crappy Harris Academy schools.

WarrenTofficier · 15/11/2025 12:13

Needmorelego · 15/11/2025 12:08

What's wrong with that though?

I'd give them a good pasting if they did.

Needmorelego · 15/11/2025 12:10

PInkyStarfish · 15/11/2025 10:53

When people have these idiotic ideas for baby names do they ever once consider the future where the name will seen on job applications or their child will have to introduce themselves to influential people with regards to their career?

No one would bat an eyelid at Harris.
It's not really "out there".

Needmorelego · 15/11/2025 12:08

hairbearbunches · 15/11/2025 10:50

I can imagine friends elongating it to Harissa 😮

What's wrong with that though?

IsThisTheWaytoSlamMyPillow · 15/11/2025 12:02

Would you like to be called Harris and have a lifetime of weird looks ?

It just sounds odd, not attractive and unlike a name (especially for a girl).

Needspaceforlego · 15/11/2025 12:01

Its a boys name.
I also know a boy of Pakistani decent Haris. Just one R.

StrugglingwithIvanhoe · 15/11/2025 11:59

Slang for arse I'm afraid.

Hiptothisjive · 15/11/2025 11:59

Notmyreality · 15/11/2025 09:42

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

Cerys is Welsh so absolutely fine.

Harris isn’t fresh or cosmopolitan- it’s a try hard attempt at making clearly a boys name into a ‘cool’ girls name which it isn’t.

KathyDuck · 15/11/2025 11:57

It means Arse around here

Moreteaandchocolate · 15/11/2025 11:53

I love the Welsh name Carys - beautiful name.

Harris is a boys name to me. If you like it for a girl you could call her Harriet and shorten to Harry?

Kingsleadhat · 15/11/2025 11:39

Needmorelego · 15/11/2025 10:36

Wasn't Harris a family surname in the show?

Yes I think it was Roseanne and Jackie's family name, so she was named in honour of that. She was a good sassy character and the name suited her

LilyGeorge · 15/11/2025 11:35

usedtobeaylis · 15/11/2025 11:21

That's one year, as a pattern it's not mainstream. 240-odd boys in one year out of 25,000 doesn't make it anywhere near mainstream.

Edited

Just for you, I checked back, Harris has been a top ten Scottish boys name since 2017. 🙂

tartyflette · 15/11/2025 11:25

Ddakji · 15/11/2025 10:15

Do you say that for all names beginning with an H? No Harriet, Heather or Henry?

People commonly drop the aitch in Henry. I have an uncle 'Enry.... (we're Londoners) And Harry is often 'Arry round these parts.

usedtobeaylis · 15/11/2025 11:21

LilyGeorge · 15/11/2025 11:13

Harris is the 9th most popular boys name in Scotland (2024 figures). You might not know may not know any personally but it’s definitely a mainstream name.

Brodie was down at 16.

That's one year, as a pattern it's not mainstream. 240-odd boys in one year out of 25,000 doesn't make it anywhere near mainstream.

OldBeyondMyYears · 15/11/2025 11:18

No 🥴

BatchCookBabe · 15/11/2025 11:15

Harris is a nickname for your arse where I come from.

'Get off yer 'arris!'

I would never use this as a forename. (Sorry.) Blush

ThatLilacTiger · 15/11/2025 11:14

I like it. I think it sounds cool, bit tomboyish, arty.