Cooper

An occupational surname-style name associated with a cooper (a barrel maker).

Cooper is a male given name in modern English-language use, especially common in places where surname-as-first-name traditions are familiar. It reads as straightforward and contemporary in spelling, and it tends to feel practical because it is also a common word in English. Historically, Cooper comes from an occupational surname: a cooper was a craftsperson who made wooden barrels, casks, and similar containers. When used as a first name, the meaning is usually understood through that occupational association rather than as a poetic or symbolic etymology. Pronunciation is typically KOO-per with two clear syllables. A practical tip is to keep the first syllable long (like “coop”), and to note that it’s easy to shorten naturally to Coop in casual settings.

Etymology: From English occupational usage for a maker of barrels and casks; as a first name it follows the English-language tradition of turning surnames into given names.