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The short answer
Jasper is a masculine name of Latin origin, pronounced JAS-pər in English. Behind the Name derives it from Latin Gaspar, "perhaps from the Biblical Hebrew word גִּזְבָּר (gizbar) meaning 'treasurer', derived from Old Persian ganzabarah". Tradition assigned this name to one of the wise men, the Magi, said to have visited the newborn Jesus. It has been used occasionally in the English-speaking world since the Middle Ages, and can also be given for the English gemstone word. It ranked #129 for boys in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name traces Jasper to Latin Gaspar, "perhaps from the Biblical Hebrew word גִּזְבָּר (gizbar) meaning 'treasurer', derived from Old Persian ganzabarah". The hedge "perhaps" is Behind the Name's own, so the treasurer gloss should be treated as probable rather than proven. The name "was traditionally assigned to one of the wise men (also known as the Magi, or three kings)" of the Nativity story, and "has occasionally been used in the English-speaking world since the Middle Ages". Separately, the name "can also be given in reference to the English word for the gemstone". Behind the Name lists Casper and Kasper as Dutch variants and Caspar and Gaspar as the legend forms, with Cas as a Dutch diminutive.
Editorial confidence: likely
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Latin | Gaspar | source form of Jasper |
| Biblical Hebrew (probable) | גִּזְבָּר (gizbar) | treasurer |
| Old Persian (probable) | ganzabarah | treasurer (the root behind gizbar) |
Competing or overlapping origins
- The English gemstone word jasper: Behind the Name notes the name can be given in reference to the stone, so for some bearers the intended meaning is the gem rather than the Magi name.
Popularity
Jasper ranked #129 for boys in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration). Behind the Name lists it as used in English and Dutch and in Judeo-Christian-Islamic legend, and notes only occasional use in the English-speaking world since the Middle Ages, so its current US standing is a comparatively recent rise; earlier trend data were not consulted for this draft.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #129 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Cas, Jas
Variants: Casper, Kasper, Caspar, Gaspar
Related names: Jesper, Gaspard, Kacper, Gaspare, Kaspar
What the name feels like
Jasper has an antique, storybook quality: the Nativity association and medieval English use give it depth, while the gemstone meaning adds a nature-name angle. It sounds crisp and slightly old-fashioned in a way many parents now find charming, and it sits comfortably alongside revived vintage names like Silas, Felix and Arthur.
Style tags: vintage, biblical tradition, gemstone, two syllables
Editorial interpretation: These style impressions are editorial judgment, not linguistic fact. Jas is a natural short form; only Cas (Dutch) is documented as a diminutive by Behind the Name.
If you like this name
Names that share Jasper's vintage feel, its Magi connection, or its gemstone meaning.
Similar by style
Similar by origin
- Casper
- Gaspard
- Jesper
- Kasper
Similar by meaning
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jasper mean?
Jasper probably means "treasurer". Behind the Name derives it from Latin Gaspar, perhaps from Biblical Hebrew gizbar, "treasurer", ultimately from Old Persian ganzabarah. It is also the English word for a gemstone, and some parents choose it for that reason.
Is Jasper a biblical name?
Not directly. The name was traditionally assigned to one of the Magi, the wise men said to have visited the newborn Jesus, but the Bible itself does not name them. Behind the Name classes it under Judeo-Christian-Islamic legend.
Is Jasper a popular name?
Jasper ranked #129 for boys in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Jasper — supports etymology, Magi tradition, gemstone sense, medieval English use, variants, Dutch pronunciation.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
