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Casper




Pronunciation: KASS-pur, CAHS-pehr

Potential nicknames: Cass, Caspie, Casey, Cap, Case

Origin: This is the Dutch form of the Persian name Jasper, meaning "treasurer" or "treasure holder." Kasper, Jaspar, Gaspard and Gaspar are variants. The spelling Gasper ranked twice in U.S. history - once in 1911 and once in 1917.

Popularity: Casper ranked on the U.S. top 1000 from 1911 to 1933, but has not been seen since. In 2010 there were 51 baby boys named Casper and 11 named Caspar, 5 Kaspar and 26 Kasper. In 2011 there were 7 boys spelled Caspar and 54 Casper.

Fun fact: (1) Part of Casper's lack of popularity is due to "Casper the Friendly Ghost," which first appeared in a 1939 children's book and later an animated cartoon and comics, finishing with a movie in 1995. (2) Saint Gaspar del Bufalo. (3) Along with Balthazar and Melchior, Casper was one of the three Magi, or Wise Men, who brought gifts from afar to the infant Jesus. These three names cannot be found in the Bible and are thought to have been assigned in the 11th century. (4) The name of Claudia Schiffer's son, Casper Matthew. Her daughters are Clementine and Cosima. (5) Chosen by actor Jason Lee and his wife for their daughter Casper Alice. (Her middle name has not been officially verified.) (6) Actor Casper Van Dien.

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