Cooper means barrel maker — one of the most essential crafts in pre-industrial civilisation. Without coopers, there was no wine, no beer, no preserved food, no ocean trade. Anderson Cooper is the most trusted name in television news. Gary Cooper was Hollywood's strong-silent archetype. The Mini Cooper made the name synonymous with stylish engineering. It's a craftsman's name that sounds like competence.
Middle English couper (barrel maker)→English surname Cooper→given name
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Old English roots
Cooper comes from the Middle English couper, meaning barrel maker. Coopers were essential craftsmen — barrels were used for storing and transporting virtually everything. Gary Cooper (1901–1961) won two Academy Awards and defined the strong-silent American hero. Anderson Cooper became one of America's most respected journalists. The Mini Cooper, designed by Alec Issigonis, became an icon of British automotive design.
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First recorded
Earliest known use: Medieval as an occupational surname; given-name usage grew from the 2000s.
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Today
Cooper remains a beloved choice, ranking #70 in the US. 118,804 babies have been named Cooper since 1882.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of Family Names, SSA data
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How popular is Cooper?
2024peak year
Cooper found its strongest footing in the 2020s, peaking at #50 nationally. In 2024, 5,699 babies were named Cooper (ranked #50 nationally). It remains in active use today at inside the top hundred (#70), with roughly 5,117 babies per year. Cooper's usage has held roughly steady recently. The all-time total comes to roughly 118,804 registrations.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
Cooper's Life Path 3 is the communicator's number — crafting communication. People named Cooper tend to be skilled, honest, and gifted at building containers for important things.
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