Gasper first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Gasper has been for the last 48 years (from 1975 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Gasper

A name derived from the Middle Persian name "Gaspar", meaning "Treasure bearer".

Popularity of Gasper by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Gasper is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Gasper.

Year Male Count Female Count
2022 6 0
2010 5 0
2006 8 0
2002 5 0
2001 5 0
2000 5 0
1998 8 0
1995 5 0
1993 9 0
1992 5 0
1990 7 0
1985 7 0
1982 6 0
1981 8 0
1980 9 0
1977 5 0
1976 9 0
1975 7 0

The history of the first name Gasper

The name Gasper has its origins in the Persian language and culture, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Old Persian word "Gaspar," which means "treasurer" or "keeper of the treasure." This name was associated with wealth, prosperity, and guardianship.

One of the earliest and most notable references to the name Gasper can be found in the Christian Bible's Gospel of Matthew, where it is mentioned as one of the three wise men or Magi who visited the infant Jesus, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This biblical account played a significant role in the spread and popularity of the name throughout the centuries.

In the 4th century AD, the historian Jacobus de Voragine recorded the name Gasper in his work "Legenda Aurea" (The Golden Legend), a collection of hagiographies and stories about the lives of saints. This text further solidified the association of the name with the wise men from the biblical narrative.

The earliest recorded individual bearing the name Gasper was Saint Gaspar del Bufalo (1786-1837), an Italian Catholic priest and the founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. He dedicated his life to preaching and establishing missions, leaving a lasting impact on the Church.

Another notable figure was Gaspar de Portolà (1723-1784), a Spanish explorer and the first governor of Las Californias, the colonial province that later became the state of California. He led expeditions that explored and mapped significant portions of the region.

In the realm of literature, Gaspar Núñez de Arce (1834-1903) was a renowned Spanish poet, playwright, and statesman. He served as a member of the Spanish Royal Academy and is remembered for his contributions to the literary and political spheres.

Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos (1744-1811) was a Spanish illustrious writer, philosopher, and statesman. He played a crucial role in the Spanish Enlightenment and advocated for educational and economic reforms during his time.

Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares (1587-1645), was a Spanish politician and chief minister of Philip IV of Spain. He held significant power and influence during his tenure, shaping the policies of the Spanish Empire during the 17th century.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Gasper was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gasper, please contact us.

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"Gasper first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 30, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/gasper-meaning-and-history/.

"Gasper first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/gasper-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 30 April, 2025

Gasper first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/gasper-meaning-and-history/.

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