Caspar

Meaning & origin

Caspar is a name steeped in tradition, best known as one of the three wise men who brought gifts to the infant Jesus. Though its roots are Persian, it has been used in Christian cultures for centuries, especially in Germany and the Netherlands. In the United States, the name has seen modest but consistent usage, with 2025 recording a rank of 4,857, meaning roughly 1 in 85,404 babies received the name. Its recorded history in U.S. data goes back to 1915, and it has been on an upward trajectory since 1995. The peak year for Caspar was 2018, indicating a recent spike in interest. The name's top state is New York, suggesting a concentration in culturally diverse or more traditional areas. Despite its historical weight, Caspar remains a distinctive choice outside the mainstream, appealing to parents drawn to classic yet rare names.

Caspar is one of the traditional names given to the Magi, or wise men, who visited the infant Jesus in Christian tradition. The name is believed to derive from the Persian word 'ganzabara', meaning 'treasurer' or 'keeper of the treasure'. It entered Western usage through religious texts and later spread as a given name, particularly in German and Dutch cultures. The spelling 'Caspar' is especially common in German-speaking countries, while 'Casper' and 'Kasper' are variants.