Casper
/ˈkɑs.pər/
Casper is the Dutch and Scandinavian form of Jasper, which itself derives from the Persian Gandhahbar or the Hebrew Gizbar (treasurer). Jasper has been associated since the medieval period with one of the Three Magi - the traditional names Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar for the wise men of the Nativity story appear in Christian tradition from around the 6th century AD, though they are not in the Bible itself.
The association with the Magi gave the name and its variants - Kaspar, Caspar, Casper - a quiet religious resonance in Catholic and Protestant traditions across northern Europe. In the Netherlands and Scandinavia, Casper has been in continuous use as a given name since the medieval period and remains a fairly common choice today.
In the United States, the name is most recognizable through Casper the Friendly Ghost, the Harvey Comics character created in the 1930s and featured in a 1995 feature film. The friendly, non-threatening ghost gave the name an endearing, slightly whimsical quality that differs entirely from the name's origin story.
What the name Casper means
Casper has two syllables: KAS-per. It has a warm, old-fashioned European charm that sits naturally in the company of names like Otto, Felix, Hugo, and Jasper that have been revived by parents seeking distinctive vintage choices.
Casper ranked No. 878 in the United States in 2024 with approximately 354 births. It has been rising since around 2012, part of the broader vintage European boy-name revival.
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Casper - similar names
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