Jasper is a masculine given name of Dutch and English origin, also significant in Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition. It is derived from the Latin Gaspar, which likely originates from the Biblical Hebrew word גִּזְבָּר (gizbar) meaning "treasurer" [1]. This, in turn, comes from the Old Persian ganzabarah, composed of ganza (treasure) and barah (bearer). The name is traditionally associated with one of the three wise men (Magi) who visited the infant Jesus according to Christian tradition. While the Bible does not name the Magi, early Christian lore assigned them the names Caspar (or Gaspar), Melchior, and Balthazar. Thus, Jasper is a variant of Caspar, with the spelling influenced by the English word for the gemstone jasper. History and Usage In English-speaking countries, the name Jasper has been used since the Middle Ages, likely boosted by both the Biblical connections and the gemstone meaning. It saw a revival in the 19th century and has remained moderately popular, particularly in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The name is especially common in Dutch and English contexts. Variants include Casper, Kasper, Caspar, and Gaspar, each used across various European languages. Diminutive forms include Cas in Dutch. In other languages, equivalents include Kašpar (Czech), Casper and Jesper (Swedish), Kaspar (German), and Gaspard (French). Cultural Significance Beyond its use as a personal name, Jasper is also a gemstone name, referring to a variety of quartz often used in jewelry. The gemstone jasper is mentioned in the Bible (Exodus 28:20) as one of the stones on the high priest's breastplate, and in Revelation 21:19 as a foundation stone of the New Jerusalem. This dual significance, as both a name of a wise man and a precious stone, has given the name a layer of symbolic meaning associated with treasure, wisdom, and beauty. Notable Bearers Historical and contemporary figures named Jasper include the English antiquarian and writer Jasper Ridley (1922–2004), the Dutch Golden Age painter Jasper van der Laasch (c. 1595–1648), and the American musician Jasper Johns (born 1930), though the latter is a surname. In popular culture, Jasper is the name of a character in the Twilight series and a vampire-like creature in The Simpsons. The name is perceived as vintage yet stylish, often considered distinctive without being overly unusual. Meaning: "treasurer" (from Persian via Hebrew) Origin: Latin (Gaspar), from Old Persian Type: First name Usage: Dutch, English, Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition Related Variants: Casper, Kaspar, Gaspar, Gaspard, Jašpar, Jesper, Kašpar