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The short answer
Jason is a masculine name of Greek origin meaning "healer", pronounced JAY-sən in English. Behind the Name derives it from Greek Ἰάσων (Iason), from ἴασις (iasis) "healing", itself from ἰάομαι (iaomai) "to heal". In Greek mythology Jason led the Argonauts on the quest for the Golden Fleece; in the New Testament a Jason sheltered Paul and Silas, where the name may be a Hellenized form of a Hebrew name. It was not used in England until after the Protestant Reformation. In the United States it ranked #165 for boys in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name gives Jason as "from the Greek name Ἰάσων (Iason) meaning 'healer', derived from Greek ἴασις (iasis) meaning 'healing', a derivative of ἰάομαι (iaomai) meaning 'to heal'". Two ancient bearers anchor the name. In Greek mythology Jason led the Argonauts: after his uncle Pelias overthrew his father Aeson as king of Iolcus, he sought the Golden Fleece to win back the throne and married the sorceress Medea, who helped him and later turned against him. The name also appears in the New Testament for a man who sheltered Paul and Silas; Behind the Name notes that in his case "it may represent a Hellenized form of a Hebrew name". Jayson and Jayceon are listed as English variants, with Jace, Jai, Jase, Jay, Jayce, Jae and Jaye as diminutives and Jaye as a feminine form.
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Greek | Ἰάσων (Iason) | healer |
| Greek | ἴασις (iasis) | healing |
| Greek | ἰάομαι (iaomai) | to heal |
Competing or overlapping origins
- For the New Testament Jason specifically, Behind the Name suggests the name may be a Hellenized form of a Hebrew name rather than the Greek 'healer' name; the underlying Hebrew name is not identified in the source.
Popularity
Jason ranked #165 for boys in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration). Behind the Name records that the name was not used in England until after the Protestant Reformation; its more recent US trajectory was not consulted for this draft.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #165 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Jace, Jase, Jay, Jayce, Jai, Jae, Jaye
Variants: Jayson, Jayceon, Iason
Related names: Jace, Jayce, Jaye, Mason, Grayson
What the name feels like
Jason has a clean two-syllable sound that spawned a family of modern names, from Jace and Jayce to the rhyming Mason and Grayson. Its mythological and biblical roots give it substance, but for many Americans it feels like a name of the 1970s and 1980s rather than an antique. It suits parents who want something familiar, easy to spell and unfussy.
Style tags: classic, Greek mythology, two syllables, familiar
Editorial interpretation: These style impressions, including the generational association, are editorial judgment, not linguistic fact. The etymology, mythological and biblical references are from Behind the Name.
If you like this name
Names related to Jason by origin, by sound, or by classic Greek heritage.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jason mean?
Jason means "healer". Behind the Name derives it from Greek Iason, from iasis "healing" and iaomai "to heal".
Is Jason a biblical name?
Yes. A man named Jason sheltered Paul and Silas in the New Testament. Behind the Name notes that in his case the name may be a Hellenized form of a Hebrew name. Jason is also the leader of the Argonauts in Greek mythology.
Is Jason a popular name?
Jason ranked #165 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 Jason — supports etymology, Greek myth reference, New Testament reference, post-Reformation English use, pronunciation, variants, diminutives.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
