Find out how popular the first name Jasper has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jasper by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jasper is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 97% of people named Jasper being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 2,933 male babies and 70 female babies born with the name Jasper.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 70 baby girls were named Jasper in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Jasper

The name Jasper has its origins in the Persian language and can be traced back to the ancient Achaemenid Empire of Persia, which ruled from 550 BC to 330 BC. The name is derived from the Persian word "gasht" or "gisht", meaning "treasurer" or "keeper of riches".

In ancient times, the name Jasper was associated with the precious gemstone of the same name, which was highly valued for its beauty and believed to possess protective powers. The word "jasper" ultimately comes from the French "jaspre" and the Old French phrase "jaspe pierre" meaning "jasper stone".

One of the earliest known references to the name Jasper can be found in the Bible's Book of Revelation, where it is mentioned as one of the twelve precious stones adorning the foundations of the New Jerusalem. This association with the gemstone and its symbolic significance in religious texts likely contributed to the name's popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages.

The first recorded use of the name Jasper as a personal name dates back to the 12th century, when it appeared in various forms such as "Jasper", "Gaspard", and "Caspar" across different regions of Europe. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Jasper Gennath, a German philosopher and theologian who lived in the 14th century.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Jasper. These include:

1. Jasper Tudor (c. 1439 - c. 1495), the uncle of King Henry VII of England and a prominent figure in the Wars of the Roses.
2. Jasper Heywood (c. 1535 - 1598), an English translator and playwright during the Elizabethan era.
3. Jasper Pääkkönen (born 1980), a Finnish actor known for his roles in films such as "BlacKkKlansman" and "Vikings".
4. Jasper Fforde (born 1961), a British novelist best known for his "Thursday Next" series of literary detective novels.
5. Jasper Johns (born 1930), an American painter and artist celebrated for his works depicting flags, targets, and other everyday objects.

The name Jasper has maintained its popularity throughout the centuries, and its association with the gemstone, as well as its historical and literary references, have contributed to its enduring appeal.

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 Jasper was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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