See the results of this poll: Is Casper usable?
Respondents: 54 (This poll is closed)
- Yes, go for it : 37 (69%)
- No, it’s too weird: 17 (31%)
I do love the name [name_m]Casper[/name_m], but as you said for me its a GP only. I think its cute on a kid but I cant imagine an adult man or big muscley bloke carrying the name well.
But if it is the only name that you like for your baby, and you can see him being a [name_m]Casper[/name_m], then by no means, I think you should use it!
I think it’s absolutely usable. Personally, I don’t find it hard to imagine a professional or businessman named [name_m]Casper[/name_m]. The name itself doesn’t sound particularly cutesy, and the cartoon is already pretty outdated. His generation might not even make the association.
One of the great things about having a baby is that YOU get to name him or her. It sounds like you are looking for a little reassurance to use this name.
For me - I could not us it. I just cannot picture it on an adult. However, I think it is adorable on a child. Are there any more formal names that you like that you could use [name_m]Casper[/name_m] as a nickname?
[name_m]Cassius[/name_m]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m]
[name_m]Cashel[/name_m]
I voted “go for it,” because I experienced similar doubts with my son Angus. My husband loved the name, but I just couldn’t decide if Angus was a guilty pleasure or a strong, wearable (all-be it unique) name in the US.
I posted on Nameberry last year seeking reassurance, and the most helpful piece of advice I got was:
Consider how you will feel if you DON’T use the name. Do you project feelings of loss, regret, what could have been, etc? If so, then be assured that you have found THE name, and let that assurance guide you through any complication or criticism that results from using it. If, however, you think you’d feel fine with NOT using the name, then something better is probably out there, and you ought to keep looking.
My personal experience with using a highly unusual name (which not even most berries would use) has been that plenty of people dislike it, and plenty more DO like it. It is polarizing and generates conversation the way a common name never will. One doctor and several nurses tried to talk us out of using it and suggested alternatives when Angus was born. Many other people have commented on what an intriguing name we have chosen, and he even has sort of local celebrity status (if I may be so bold) because of his instantly recognizable name. He will never be “Angus Who?” in our community, as your son would never be "Casper Who?"Only you can decide if that is good or bad, and there is no wrong answer.
If everyone, or even MOST people liked Angus, or Casper, they would be super popular, like Noah or Jacob. But just because a name is unusual, or tailored to a specific taste, does not mean there is anything intrinsically wrong with the name. It may be just a obscure gem of a name, waiting to be discovered.
I hope this brings you some clarity.
PS One thing that gave me the guts to go ahead with [name_m]Angus[/name_m] is that it came with nickname possibility. I figured if [name_m]Angus[/name_m] was really a problem for him he could always go by just [name_u]Gus[/name_u].
[name_m]Cap[/name_m] or [name_u]Percy[/name_u] are very wearable nicknames which give no immediate indication of being short for [name_m]Casper[/name_m]. I think Sparky could be really cute for a child as well!
Too tied to the ghost
I feel the same way as you, I really love the name but not sure I have the guts to use it. But then I keep coming across guys named [name_m]Casper[/name_m]/[name_m]Caspar[/name_m] on Twitter or in the news and I think, he seems so cool… so I think maybe it is wearable on both a child and an adult.
Yay, yay and yay! I love [name_m]Casper[/name_m], definitely not too weird and people need to move on from the ghost thing! No kids have heard of the cartoon now, I think this stumbling block is purely in parents’ heads.
I absolutely love [name_m]Casper[/name_m]! I hope you use it! I do think an association to the cartoon would be made by most adults at first, but they would quickly get over it when they meet your actual, real-life, non-ghost [name_m]Casper[/name_m]. [name_m]Cas[/name_m] and Caz are two wearable nn’s that come to mind, which could lessen the association further.
I would say go for it. If the only thing that is hanging you up wi the friendly ghost connection you could always consider [name_m]Kasper[/name_m] instead of [name_m]Casper[/name_m]. But I really think there are worse characters to share a name with.
I agree with other posters that the cartoon issue would likely apply to parents. I also agree that if you love if, use it. That’s so important in naming and helping to ensure that your son loves his name too. Go for it!!
My dear friend recently told me that she’s been referring to my baby (a little embryo at barely six weeks along) as [name_m]Casper[/name_m]. I raised an eyebrow and asked if she’d really gone ahead and named my baby, and then asked if she didn’t want to save the name for a future kiddo of her own. She explained that when I told her I was pregnant I also said I’d like to come up with an uncommon name to use as a red herring during the pregnancy, and [name_m]Casper[/name_m] was the first name she’d thought of. It started out as sort of a silly little joke between us, but secretly, the name’s been growing on me. We’re still months away from finding out the baby’s sex, but if it turns out to be male, I may well be in love with the name by then.
I think [name_m]Casper[/name_m] is both handsome and sweet, and there are few, if any, spelling/pronunciation issues. It works well in different cultures without being super-common, and even if your child is uncomfortable being the only [name_m]Casper[/name_m] when he’s young, he might realize the benefits to being instantly recognizable as the one and only [name_m]Casper[/name_m] in town - not [name_m]Casper[/name_m] F. or [name_m]Casper[/name_m] L. or [name_m]Casper[/name_m] T. - as he grows up. I think it’s cute on a little boy and can age well with an adult. You’re right to love it, and since you love it, you should use it.