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Kacper — Name Day, Meaning & Origin

Male Polish given name · rank 19 among male names (2024)

The Polish form of the name of one of the Three Kings, "treasurer".

Pronunciation

/ˈkat͡s.pɛr/ · KATS-pehr

Meaning

Kacper is the Polish form of Kasper (Jasper), most likely derived from a Persian word meaning "treasurer" or "keeper of the treasure". In Polish tradition the name is inseparably tied to one of the Three Kings.

Origin & history

The name spread through medieval Europe thanks to the legend of the Three Wise Men, among whom Kacper brings frankincense to the Christ Child. It is deeply rooted in Poland, and the letters K+M+B chalked on doors at Epiphany still recall its patron; today it ranks among much-loved boys' names.

Etymology

It most likely derives from the Old Persian ganzabara — "treasurer, keeper of the treasury". The forms Kasper, Jasper and Gaspar arose by the same route.

Declension (Polish cases)

NominativeKacper
GenitiveKacpra
DativeKacprowi
AccusativeKacpra
InstrumentalKacprem
LocativeKacprze
VocativeKacprze

Name day (imieniny)

In Poland, Kacper celebrates its name day on 6 January.

Diminutives

Kacperek, Kacperuś, Kacuś, Kapcio.

Forms in other languages

Equivalents in other languages include Kasper and Casper (Scandinavian, Dutch), Jasper (English, Dutch), Gaspard (French), Gaspare (Italian) and Gaspar (Spanish, Portuguese).

Notable people named Kacper

Kacper Kozłowski — Polish footballer, national team player and talented midfielder.
Kasper Niesiecki — Eighteenth-century Polish Jesuit and heraldist, author of an armorial.

Popularity

Since the start of the twenty-first century Kacper has been among the most frequently chosen names for boys in Poland.

Similar names

Nikodem Antoni Jan Aleksander Leon Franciszek Ignacy Jakub