Kaspar

Kaspar is a masculine given name, a variant of Caspar (Caspar/Casper). The name is traditionally associated with one of the three Magi who visited the infant Jesus in Christian tradition, though the exact linguistic origin is uncertain. Variants have arisen in different languages, including Kasper, Caspar, Gaspar, and Jasper. In German-speaking and some Northern European regions, Kaspar remains a common form, while Casper and other spellings are more prevalent in English-speaking contexts.

Notable bearers include Kaspar Hauser (1812–1833), a German youth who appeared in Nuremberg in 1828 claiming to have grown up in isolation; his mysterious origins and subsequent murder sparked extensive historical and literary interest. Another prominent bearer is Kaspar Villiger, a Swiss politician who served as a Federal Councillor and was President of the Swiss Confederation in 2001.

In contemporary usage, Kaspar is primarily a given name encountered in historical and biographical contexts. The spelling and pronunciation vary by language, with Kaspar generally pronounced with a hard K in German-influenced regions, and often Anglicized as Casper in English-speaking settings.