Is [name_m]Casper[/name_m] too tied to the friendly ghost character to be useable in real life?
Thoughts on the name in general, and preferred spelling - [name_m]Casper[/name_m]/[name_m]Caspar[/name_m]
I don’t think so. My brother, who is only 8 years younger than me, barely recognizes the reference. Once I pointed it out to him, he recalled hearing of it, but he has never watched any of the movies or anything. Older people might, but I don’t think it is anywhere near unusable.
Have to be honest when I hear [name_m]Casper[/name_m] (prefer this spelling) I do think of the ghost but it doesn’t make the name unusable to me. A lot of the younger generation wouldn’t know the reference plus [name_m]Casper[/name_m] is adorable in the film - I can certainly think of worse things/people to share a name with.
as revlon up above said, few kids his age will make the association, and any adults that do will probably just find it charming 
I do think the ghost will be the first natural association, but I also don’t see that as making the name unusable! It’s quite cute. There’s also always [name_m]Caspian[/name_m].
To me it’s too tied to the ghost to use, but a lot of people on here don’t feel that way so take my opinion worth a grain of salt. 
It is for me
It’s too tied to the ghost for me.
Not anymore. He’s going to grow up in an entirely different generation. I love [name_m]Caspar[/name_m], It’s one of my favourite names! I would go with the [name_m]Caspar[/name_m] spelling- it looks more masculine!
I think a lot of parents would make the connection and would probably say something. But I don’t think most kids would. I know my seven year old sister didn’t when I asked her what she thought I’d the name. Although she didn’t particularly care for it either.
I don’t think it’s too tied to the character nor do I think that the character would be a bad association!
I personally like the look of [name_m]Caspar[/name_m], however, as with a few other names, my preferred spelling does depend on sibling names and what vibe you’re going for, the [name_m]Casper[/name_m] spelling makes it more modern and quirky, it pairs well with names such as [name_u]Max[/name_u], [name_u]Theo[/name_u], [name_f]Lola[/name_f] or [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] while [name_m]Caspar[/name_m] looks more classic, I’d use it wth longer and/or more traditional names such as [name_m]Frederick[/name_m], [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Violet[/name_f] or [name_m]Benedict[/name_m].
I love [name_m]Casper[/name_m]. I really do, and the connection is not a big deal and children will probably not have a clue in this day and age.
I definitely think of the ghost when I first hear it. BUT, when your son is grown up, I doubt that association will still be there, or at least not nearly as strong of an association. I also prefer the [name_m]Casper[/name_m] spelling, because that’s how most people will spell it if they don’t see it written down.
Yes, [name_m]Casper[/name_m], does make me think of the friendly ghost. I prefer this spelling, by the way. But it’s definitely usable!
I think of the ghost but not in a negative way. I like [name_m]Casper[/name_m] / [name_m]Caspar[/name_m] and don’t think a child given that name today would have any issues while growing up.
[name_m]Casper[/name_m]/[name_m]Caspar[/name_m] is adorable. The ghost association would probably only be pointed out by other parents, as many modern children don’t know the cartoon. And it’s not a bad thing to be associated with, so I don’t see a problem using it.
I think it’s usable and I like the name a lot. The ghost is my first thought when I hear the it, but it’s not like it’s a negative association. And like other people have said, his future peers would likely not even know the reference. I prefer [name_m]Casper[/name_m] over [name_m]Caspar[/name_m], but that might just be because it’s the spelling I grew up seeing.
Thanks for all the replys! Good to know that the association doesn’t bother a lot of people
I think it’s a great name. My only concern (because I’ve considered it for myself) is association with the very trendy [name_m]Jasper[/name_m].
Another example, I have a friend with a child [name_m]Oscar[/name_m]. She was worried about [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] the Grouch references but once the name was given to a cheerful little boy, it just took on its own life.