A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Casper since 1880
Babies named Casper per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2024, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Casper's real moment was 1889.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 193 |
| 1890s | 180 |
| 1900s | 144 |
| 1910s | 716 |
| 1920s | 762 |
| 1930s | 420 |
| 1940s | 281 |
| 1950s | 253 |
| 1960s | 156 |
| 1970s | 115 |
| 1980s | 145 |
| 1990s | 218 |
| 2000s | 425 |
| 2010s | 938 |
| 2020s | 1,262 |
Meaning & origin
Casper has a long history in the United States, first recorded in 1880. It peaked in popularity in 1889, but after declining for much of the 20th century, it has been rising again since 1993. In 2025, it ranked 924th, with a 1 in 6,698 incidence. The name has seen particular traction in states like Oregon, Missouri, and Indiana. Its revival likely stems from a broader interest in vintage names, as well as its friendly, approachable sound. While some may associate it with the friendly ghost, its Biblical and Persian heritage gives it substance.
Casper is the Latinate form of Gaspar, one of the traditional names given to the Biblical Magi (the Three Wise Men). The name is believed to derive from the Persian 'kansbar' or 'gizbar', meaning 'treasurer' or 'keeper of the treasure'. It entered European usage through medieval Christian tradition and has been used across Western Europe, particularly in Dutch, German, and Scandinavian countries.
Where Casper is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Casper” around the world
Where Casper lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
6
babies in 2025
New Zealand
14
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cas, Cappy, Casp
Sibling names for Casper
Names that share Casper's style, for a brother or sister.
