I’ve posted numerous times before and I think we’re about 80% on going with [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] (with some as yet undetermined combo of middle names) for our son due in [name_u]January[/name_u] (sister is [name_f]Cecily[/name_f] [name_f]Frances[/name_f] [name_u]March[/name_u]). I’ve loved the name for a looooong time and it’s come out on top of every poll I’ve done on nameberry. I like its fusty British old man vibe and it’s quirky outdoorsy cowboyish associations, too, as well as the Three Wise Men reference (since our son will be born in [name_u]January[/name_u] which is the feast of the [name_f]Epiphany[/name_f]). I can imagine a [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] as any number of things – artist, businessman, baby, old man – and it works.
The only thing that’s holding me back is not necessarily it’s relative popularity (it’s higher ranked than I’d like at 218 and gaining but still not crazy popular and I don’t in fact know any little Jaspers at all) but the perception (by some) that it’s a “[name_m]Park[/name_m] Slope” name – by that I mean a name that’s trying too hard to be hipster-y/hip/original when in fact it’s not at all. I’m not really trying to be hip, I just love the name and the fact that it’s not crazy popular or trendy (yet).
But what are everyone’s thoughts on how high [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] will go on the popularity list?? Does it smack of trying too hard?? Is it too pretentious or [name_m]Park[/name_m] Slope-y?? (for those who don’t know this is a neighborhood in [name_u]Brooklyn[/name_u], where we actually do live – you can google its reputation if you’re not familiar!).
I live in [name_f]Alberta[/name_f], quite close to [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] National [name_m]Park[/name_m] (a gorgeous part of the world!) so the association is awesome for me.
I love the idea of a name with a great history, like [name_m]Jasper[/name_m], that also feels fresh and relevant. It seems like the hipster crowd will keep moving ‘out’ - to names like [name_m]Edgar[/name_m] and [name_m]Walter[/name_m], which might pack more of a surprise. I say go for it!
I live in [name_f]Alberta[/name_f], quite close to [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] National [name_m]Park[/name_m] (a gorgeous part of the world!) so the association is awesome for me.
I love the idea of a name with a great history, like [name_m]Jasper[/name_m], that also feels fresh and relevant. It seems like the hipster crowd will keep moving ‘out’ - to names like [name_m]Edgar[/name_m] and [name_m]Walter[/name_m], which might pack more of a surprise. I say go for it!
Sorry, I don’t like the name [name_m]Jasper[/name_m]. Maybe, [name_m]Joshua[/name_m], [name_m]Jacob[/name_m], [name_m]Joseph[/name_m], or even [name_m]Josiah[/name_m]. Anyways, all that matters is that you love it and you think it will be perfect for your baby. I don’t mind if a name is considered “hipster” because names go in and out of popularity all the time. I just want a name I absolutely love. I loved a name since middle school that no one ever really liked, now it’ 2015 and all of a sudden the name is in the top 100 and gaining popularity lol. Yet, I’m still going to use the name no matter what
I’m from [name_m]New[/name_m] [name_m]York[/name_m] and I do think it sounds a bit… I suppose pretentious, or regal maybe. That said, it sounds really nice with your daughter’s name. I think they match really well. And if you love it, there’s no reason to care if other people think it’s a hipster name.
[name_m]Bear[/name_m] in mind, you don’t need their approval to name your children. And you won’t have the chance to explain your intentions to everyone. So I think it’s a matter of becoming comfortable with people having their own perceptions about it.
Popularity be damned, I say go for it. [name_f]Cecily[/name_f] and [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] make a beautiful pair.
I love the name [name_m]Jasper[/name_m]. It is definitely within my top 5 probably.
I agree with brimarie - [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] National [name_m]Park[/name_m] is one of the most gorgeous places I’ve been lucky to visit.
I like it for the same reasons you do. I think it sounds very down to earth as well. It’s classic yet a little unique as well.
And if anyone were to connect it to [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] in [name_f]Alberta[/name_f], I wouldn’t see anything wrong with that personally; its a spectacular place.
I agree that [name_f]Cecily[/name_f] and [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] work very well together. I get what you mean about not wanting to seem too try-hard/pretentious but at the same time wanting to pick something interesting and different. I’m having the same dilemma over [name_m]Casper[/name_m] for a boy (and I also like [name_m]Jasper[/name_m]). But I think if you truly love a name then you should go for it and not worry what people will think. If they’re polite, they’ll keep their thoughts to themselves; if not, you just have to accept that not everyone is going to like the name. I was surprised after I had my daughter how many people openly rolled their eyes at her name, but it doesn’t bother me any more and I still adore her name.
I know two little [name_m]Jasper[/name_m]'s. I don’t think it will be very popular. I don’t find it pretentious at all. I see it as hipster/modern hillbilly.
I don’t think it sounds pretentious. Then again, the only name association I have with [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] is from Twilight, so it feels southern for me.
I love [name_m]Jasper[/name_m]. I know it’s taking off a little bit as a trendy/hipster name, but I think it will ‘come and go’ in terms of having that hipster reputation. It’s a traditional name with solid history, and has featured for a long while in the UK and Australia as a less popular but classic choice.
[name_m]Jasper[/name_m] reminds me of the gemstone, so to me it is earthy and classic and really handsome. I agree with the PP too that if you love it, and you know you love it based on far greater reasons than any current ‘cool’ status, you don’t need to worry what someone else thinks. I find it kind of amusing (in a nice way) when traditional names like this suddenly enter peoples’ consciousness for the first time and they see it as very ‘new’ and ‘trendy’, when in fact it’s been around for a long, long time!
yes, i do think jasper is quite try hard and park slopey, but i also vote and recommend it every time, because i like it.
i also do think it’s going to get quite popular (if people listen to my suggestions). if oliver got so crazy popular, i think jasper could end up the same way. jasper reminds me of brideshead revisited by the way.
would you consider casimir for a wise men baby? it’s way more obscure but still hipster try hard if that’s your thing (it’s mine, so no judging). i also think felix would be a great, less popular alternative to jasper. it’s still pretty catholic if that’s your thing (my guess).
I loved a name since middle school that no one ever really liked, now it’ 2015 and all of a sudden the name is in the top 100 and gaining popularity lol. Yet, I’m still going to use the name no matter what 