Surname Jesper - Meaning and Origin
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Jesper: What does the surname Jesper mean?
Jesper is a Scandinavian masculine first name that is generally not used as a last name. It is the Danish and Swedish form of the name Jasper, which originated from Persian origin. In Persian, the name is "Gaspard", meaning "treasurer" or "treasure bringer". The name Jasper is also recorded in the Bible as the name of one of the three Magi (Wise Men) in the New Testament who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. Thus, the name Jesper holds biblical significance and is traditionally associated with the image of a wise, gift-bearing figure. Over the years, the name Jesper has become increasingly popular in Northern European countries like Denmark, Sweden, and parts of Norway. Please note that while Jesper is predominantly a male first name, in modern contexts, last names and first names can sometimes be interchangeable.
Order DNA origin analysisJesper: Where does the name Jesper come from?
The last name Jesper is of Scandinavian origin. It is derived from the given name Jesper, which is the Danish and Swedish variant of Jasper. The name Jasper itself has a Persian origin, meaning "treasurer". It is referenced in the Bible as one of the three wise men.
On the other hand, Jesper is not commonly used as a surname. It is typically used as a first name, especially in Denmark and Sweden. However, it can still be found as a surname, the majority of which live in the United States, Denmark, and a smaller percentage in Canada and Sweden. Over time, migrations and changes in naming conventions may have led some families to adopt Jesper as a last name. As a definitive naming pattern is absent, the usage of Jesper as a last name remains limited and unique.
Variations of the surname Jesper
The surname Jesper is believed to be of early medieval English origin, derived from the male given name Jasper, which was the name of one of the three Magi who visited Christ at his birth. The name was popular during the Middle Ages especially among the Christian believers.
The spellings and variants of Jesper are many, and they differ from country to country due to linguistic and regional influences. The surname has several English variants including Jasper, Jespar, Jaspar, Jaspers, Jespers, and Jaspert. In other languages, the name also exists in varying forms such as Gaspard in French, Kaspar in German, Gaspare in Italian, and Kasparov in Russian.
In Scandinavian countries, the name Jesper is mostly seen as a first name rather than a surname but can still be found as a surname less commonly. There are also patronymic surnames derived from Jesper, such as Jespersen, Jesperson, or Jespersson, which are more commonly used in these regions.
As with most surnames, the different variants and spellings of the surname Jesper have come about over centuries as names were passed down through generations and moved across different regions.
Famous people with the name Jesper
- Jesper Christensen: Danish actor, best known for his roles in the James Bond films Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008) and Spectre (2015).
- Jesper Jansson: Swedish football defender, currently playing for Orebro SK in Sweden.
- Jesper Olsen: Danish former professional cyclist who competed in the Tour de France four times in the 1980s.
- Jesper Blomqvist: Swedish former footballer who made over 200 appearances in the Premier League with Manchester United and Everton.
- Jesper Strömblad: founding member of Swedish metal bands In Flames and The Resistance.
- Jesper Thilo: Danish jazz saxophonist and clarinetist.
- Jesper Kyd: Danish composer for videogame, television and film, best known for his award-winning scores for the Assassin’s Creed videogames.
- Jesper Ejsing: Danish comic book artist best known for The Witcher, Goblins and Green Manor comic series.
- Jesper Hyldahl: Danish football player who has represented the Danish national team in the 2018 World Cup.
- Jesper Kangas: professional freestyle footballer from Finland who is most famous for his role in the Crazy Craftsman YouTube channel.