Cooper is a distinctive boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #2022 in 1997 with 5 recorded births. This places Cooper in the bottom 46% of ranked UK boys' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Rare. The name reached its all-time peak in 2025 with 493 births ranking #105. In 1997, approximately 1 in every 62,889 boys born was named Cooper. RISING Recent data shows the name is currently rising.
Cooper is an English occupational surname name meaning "barrel maker". Its friendly, capable sound has made it one of the most successful modern surname names for boys.
The name moved from job-title surname to mainstream first name in the modern period. Its rise reflects the same pattern that made Carter, Mason, and Parker popular.