Cooper
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Barrel maker; one who makes casks
Origin: Old English and Middle Dutch occupational surname — from couper (barrel maker)
Popularity: Ranked #27 in 2025 with 7,472 babies born.
History: Cooper is an occupational surname for the craftsman who made barrels and casks — an essential trade in pre-industrial society. It made the leap to first name in the late 20th century, part of the wave of handcraft surname-names alongside Mason, Tanner, and Fletcher. Cooper entered the U.S. top 100 in the 1990s and top 50 by the 2000s. Actor Gary Cooper gave it classic Hollywood swagger, and the name has a friendly, open-air quality that fits perfectly with the modern taste for approachable, masculine American names.
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Cooper? About 1 in 435 babies born in 2025 were named Cooper, or roughly 21 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Cooper
What does the name Cooper mean?
Cooper means “Barrel maker; one who makes casks” from Old English and Middle Dutch occupational surname — from couper (barrel maker) roots.
What is the origin of the name Cooper?
Cooper has Old English and Middle Dutch occupational surname — from couper (barrel maker) origin. The traditional meaning is “Barrel maker; one who makes casks”.
How popular is Cooper?
Cooper ranked #27 in 2025 — given to 7,472 babies that year.
When was Cooper most popular?
Cooper peaked in 2025 with 7,472 babies registered that year.
Is Cooper a boy or girl name?
Cooper is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Coopers in registered births are male.
Is the name Cooper rising or falling in popularity?
Cooper has risen 1697 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #1724 in 2020 to #27 in 2025.
How long has Cooper been recorded?
Cooper appears in birth records across 128 years — from 1882 through 2025.