Hopper

Hopper is a term with multiple meanings, including a surname, an object in industry, and a common name used for certain insects. In general use, it can refer to people who bear the name, a container or chute for dispensing materials, or a slang reference to grasshoppers and related insects.

Notable people with the surname Hopper include Grace Murray Hopper (1906–1992), an American computer scientist and naval officer who helped advance programming and COBOL; Dennis Hopper (1936–2010), an American actor and filmmaker; and Edward Hopper (1882–1967), an American realist painter known for his depictions of modern American life. The surname appears across various fields and has historical significance in both the arts and sciences.

In technology and computing, Hopper is closely associated with Grace Hopper, whose work contributed to the development of high-level programming languages and the early use of compilers. COBOL, one of the first widely adopted programming languages, is linked to the era of her influence, and her advocacy helped shape early software development practices.

In mechanical and industrial contexts, a hopper is a large, funnel-shaped container used to store and dispense bulk materials such as grain, coal, or pellets. Hoppers are common components in manufacturing, agriculture, mining, vending machines, and silo systems, often featuring a discharge outlet and sometimes devices to regulate flow.

In biology and everyday language, a hopper refers to grasshoppers and related jumping insects. The term reflects their mode of locomotion and is often used colloquially to describe these insects, which belong to the order Orthoptera.

Other uses of Hopper include place names and family names found in various regions, reflecting the term’s broader cultural presence.