What does jasper mean?
Jasper is the common name for an opaque variety of chalcedony, a mineral composed chiefly of microscopic quartz crystals. Unlike the translucent or transparent forms of chalcedony, jasper has a solid, nontransparent appearance and occurs in many colors, including red, brown, yellow, green, and gray. Some varieties contain patterns or inclusions that form landscapes, plants, or other natural scenes, giving rise to the established term picture jasper. Historically valued as a precious ornamental stone, jasper has been used for beads, seals, vessels, carvings, and decorative objects. In the nineteenth century, it also became an important material in decorative stoneware known as jasperware. The word additionally serves as a masculine given name, traditionally associated with the gemstone's strength and beauty. In ordinary modern usage, jasper most often refers either to the gemstone itself or to a person named Jasper.
An opaque, fine-grained variety of chalcedony, commonly red, brown, yellow, or green, used as a gemstone or carved for ornamental objects.
"The museum displayed a bowl carved from mottled jasper."
The modifier picture is commonly used for patterned varieties, as in picture jasper.
A hard, colored decorative stoneware containing mineral inclusions that form contrasting patterns.
"A pale jasper vase was displayed at the exhibition."
In this sense, the term often appears in the established compound jasperware.
A masculine given name traditionally derived from the gemstone called jasper.
"Jasper met his friends at the café."
As a personal name, it is used in many English-speaking countries and is not restricted to a particular region.
The plural is used for multiple gemstones, objects made from jasper, or people named Jasper.
"The collection includes several jaspers of different colors."
Jasper was a prized ornamental stone in antiquity, yet it is also a traditional masculine name with a solid, mineral strength.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jasper come from?
The word entered English through Old French jaspe, from Latin iaspis, which in turn came from the Greek word iaspis, a term used for an opaque precious stone. The precise ultimate origin of the Greek term is uncertain. Through the language of biblical and early Christian texts, the name also became a masculine given name.
How jasper is actually used
In the gemstone sense, the term is used in British and American English. As a personal name, it is usually treated as masculine, though the name is not exclusively male.