Kasper is a name of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Dutch name Kaspar, which is itself derived from the Aramaic word "Gashpare," meaning "treasurer" or "keeper of the treasure." The name Kasper is most commonly associated with Saint Caspar, one of the Three Wise Men who visited baby Jesus and brought him gifts. However, there is no historical evidence to suggest that any of the Magi were named Caspar, Melchior, or Balthazar; these names were likely assigned to them in later traditions.
In Denmark and Norway, Kasper is often used as a given name for boys, while in Germany and other German-speaking countries, Kaspar is more common. Despite its origins, the name Kasper has been used across various cultures and languages over time, appearing in forms such as Gaspar, Caspar, Jasper, and Casey.
One notable figure associated with the name Kasper is Dutch artist Kasper Niehaus (1894-1978), known for his expressionist landscapes and portraits. Additionally, Kasper Schmeichel, son of Peter Schmeichel, is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Leicester City in the Premier League.
In literature, the name Kasper appears in works like "Kasper Hauser: A Film for Children" by Peter Handke, as well as in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, where it belongs to one of the characters listed on the Marauder's Map – Kasper Gutopolis.
Overall, the name Kasper carries a rich history and diverse cultural associations, making it an attractive choice for parents looking for a unique yet meaningful name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe a significant rise in the number of babies named Kasper born in the United States over time.
In the early part of the 20th century, between 1912 and 1930, there were only five births per year with the name Kasper. This remained relatively stable throughout the mid-century, with just a few variations in number each year until 1987 when it picked up slightly to five births again.
However, from the turn of the century (2000), we see a notable increase in popularity for the name Kasper. The number of babies named Kasper rose steadily over the next decade, reaching its peak in 2015 with 53 births and staying consistently high ever since.
As of 2022, there have been a total of 89 births with the name Kasper in the United States alone this year. If we consider all the available data from 1912 to 2023, the cumulative number of babies named Kasper totals 1208.
This trend suggests that the name Kasper has gained popularity among parents over time and continues to be a favored choice in recent years.