Jasper

Jasper comes from Old French Jasper and ultimately from Ancient Persian yasapar or yaspur, meaning "treasurer." It is the name of a gemstone — a dense, opaque variety of chalcedony that comes in rich reds, yellows, and greens. In medieval tradition, Jasper was the name given to one of the three Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus, making it a name with both material richness and spiritual weight.

Jasper holds the #86 spot among US pet names, with over 1,130 companions sharing it. The name has a warm, earthy elegance that has been driving its popularity upward in recent years. Jasper suits companions who have a certain settled, dignified quality — animals who are present and aware without being anxious, comfortable in their own existence. It works particularly well for companions with warm reddish, golden, or amber tones in their coloring, echoing the gemstone's characteristic palette.