Jesper

Jesper is the Danish variant of the name Jasper and has its roots in the original name Kaspar.

What does the name Jesper mean?

Jesper is the Danish form of Jasper or Kaspar. The name, which became popular in the 1960s, translates to 'the steward of treasures' or 'the treasurer.' Originally, Jesper comes from Old Persian and is now widespread in other Scandinavian languages in addition to Danish. It is derived from the Old Persian elements ghaz, meaning 'the treasure,' and bar, meaning 'to manage' or 'to lead.' In Jewish traditions, the name is often associated with 'the keeper of secrets.' The boy's name Jesper and its variants became particularly popular after the 6th century, as it is linked to the legend of the Three Wise Men. Kaspar was one of the three kings who traveled from the East to Bethlehem to bring gifts to the newborn Jesus. Other forms of this biblical name include: Caspar (Latinized), Casper (Dutch and Scandinavian), Jaspar (Low German), Jasper (Dutch), Gaspar (Spanish and Portuguese), Gáspár (Hungarian), Gaspard (French), Gáspárd (English), Gaspare or Gasparo (Italian), Kacper (Polish), Kašpar (Czech), Kasper (Dutch and Scandinavian), Kasperi (Finnish), Kaspars (Latvian), and Kasparas (Lithuanian).

Where does the name Jesper come from?

The name Jesper has Danish roots and traces back to Old Persian origins. It consists of the Old Persian components ghaz, meaning 'the treasure,' and bar, meaning 'to manage,' 'to provide,' or 'to lead.' The language from which Jesper originates includes Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and other Scandinavian languages.

How do you pronounce Jesper?

Jesper has a distinctive two-syllable sound. It is usually pronounced as 'Jes-per' [ˈjɛspɐ] and begins with an open E sound that feels direct. The consonant cluster '-sp-' adds a certain tension to the name, while the ending '-er' gently fades away. Jesper conveys a Nordic and modern impression – a name with clear contours and vibrant presence.

When is the name day of Jesper?

The name day for Jesper is celebrated on January 6 and September 26.

Popularity

In Germany, Jesper is a very sought-after first name. Currently, it ranks 559th in the list of the most common male first names. The name achieved its best ranking in 2011, when it reached 325th place. Over the last ten years, Jesper has been given as a first name approximately 1,100 times, placing it 530th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 472nd.

Nicknames & pet names

Ippa / Jepo / Jeppe / Jeppi / Jepsi / Jespi / Jesse / Jessi / Per

Similar first names

Famous people

• Jesper Andersen (Danish football player)
• Jesper Arvidsson (football player from Sweden)
• Jesper Bie (Danish badminton player)
• Jesper Binzer (Danish musician, singer, and guitarist of the band D-A-D)
• Jesper Christensen (actor from the USA)
• Jesper Dahlström (Swedish cyclist)
• Jesper Ewald (writer from Denmark)
• Jesper Garnell (American boxer)
• Jesper Grönkjaer (professional football player)
• Jesper Hakansson (Danish footballer)
• Jesper Hansen (Danish footballer)
• Jesper Hogedoorn (Dutch football player)
• Jesper Jensen (Swedish ice hockey player)
• Jesper Juul (Danish family therapist ('Your Competent Child'))
• Jesper Langberg (Danish actor)
• Jesper Lange (Angolan football player)
• Jesper Larsen (badminton player from Denmark)
• Jesper Lindgren (ice hockey player from Sweden)
• Jesper Mikkelsen (Danish footballer)
• Jesper Nordin (Danish composer)