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Baby names

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Original poster

How to spell...?

29 replies

GashleyCrumbTiny · 24/05/2016 19:09

Warning: contains certain name-based prejudices! Interested to know if people would associate the following spellings with the things I do, as well as your actual preferences.

We have just about decided on Casper (or Kasper or Kaspar or Caspar) as a boy's name. But I'm struggling with how to spell.

To me, Casper looks the most normal - BUT it also sounds very American and friendly-ghostish. Caspar (as in Caspar David Friedrich) looks more European (which we'd prefer!) but I'm worried it looks like a bit of 'youneek' spelling. Kasper is probably more recognisable but through many conversations with a primary school dad and several friends, I've developed a bit of a prejudice about K names - especially for boys. Kaspar if probably more recognisable as the European variant, but also looks a bit youneek (and therefore even further towards the Kyle/Kai/Kane end of the spectrum!)

My incorrigible snobbery aside - what do people think?

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nooka · 27/05/2016 07:59

I'd choose Caspar too. I suspect whatever variant you choose your son will be spelling his name, or saying Caspar with an A, Casper with a E etc all his life regardless. It's just what happens if you have a name with variant spellings, but not the end of the world.

Araminkin · 27/05/2016 07:29

I'm in Scandinavia. Here Kasper is the most common way of writing the name.

1horatio · 27/05/2016 06:57

Caspar :)

JasperDamerel · 26/05/2016 20:57

DD would have been a Caspar had she been a boy.

Caspar for British spelling.
Casper for US spelling.

K spellings only if you have ties to somewhere where that is the standard spelling.

havalina1 · 26/05/2016 20:49

Caspar Smile

Waterhill · 26/05/2016 20:21

Definitely with a c - either is fine... Caspar/Casper

ABitAsleep · 25/05/2016 09:55

I would automaticall spell it Casper (yes the friendly ghost does come to mind, but i would still think that when it was spoken, whatever the spelling)

I too would imagine Caspar getting 'no, it's Cas-pAr... with an A' a lot.

I agree with the stereotype of K not being the best and more likely to be classified as being 'Yooneek' (also being very Kardashian associated) i personally wouldn't go with the K spellings.

ShowOfHands · 25/05/2016 09:53

Caspar is by far the most expected spelling ime. It's probably an earlier spelling too if the name's from Gaspar originally.

Fab name.

HouseOfBiscuits · 25/05/2016 09:47

Caspar

PotOfYoghurt · 25/05/2016 08:39

Caspar.

GoldPlatedBacon · 25/05/2016 08:30

Again, I would spell it Caspar although no issues with Casper.

I would assume a Kasper/Kaspar was eastern European rather than British with creative spelling. It's not in Team Kaydon.

mercifulTehlu · 25/05/2016 08:10

Caspar

DavidPuddy · 25/05/2016 08:09

Caspar. With a K would also be fine, I would just assume you were a German family. Why is Kai considered "youneek"? It's just a German name.

mrsschu · 25/05/2016 07:09

Caspar was on my list for DS, lovely name. Have only ever seen it spelt like this so would go with this spelling.

KoalaDownUnder · 25/05/2016 05:49

I prefer Caspar.

Sophronia · 25/05/2016 05:45

Caspar

MrsMushrooms · 25/05/2016 00:30

I know a couple of Kaspers but they are non-British European, I think it could be odd on somebody who isn't (like being called Juan or something without being Spanish - a perfectly fine name but strange out of context, if that makes sense?)

Any of the -ar spellings look a bit try-hard to me, which is a shame as Casper is a nice and unique name anyway. That could just be because I've not come across that spelling before though!

Allalonenow · 25/05/2016 00:10

I think of Caspar as the more traditional spelling, with Casper being a bit casual-just-any-old-way.

I like Kaspar, but can see the negative side of K names, so wouldn't use it.

FreezerBird · 25/05/2016 00:04

The only one I know is spelled Kacper - he's Polish - I like it.

Wolfiefan · 24/05/2016 23:59

Casper.
NOT with a K!

DramaAlpaca · 24/05/2016 23:57

I'd go with Caspar.

julfin · 24/05/2016 22:31

I would go with Caspar or maybe Casper. Caspar seems most British to me, and I agree Casper seems more American (although for ghostly reasons is probably the better known spelling in the UK too, therefore worth considering), and K spellings seems Eastern European.

I would avoid the K unless that spelling is more culturally relevant/familiar to you.

LadyAntonella · 24/05/2016 19:55

I think I'd spell it Caspar but Casper is fine too.

BoboBunnyH0p · 24/05/2016 19:53

Casper is how I would spell it. If I saw it spelt with a K I would think you were trying too hard to be different.

Original poster
GashleyCrumbTiny · 24/05/2016 19:18

Caspar is probably my favourite, but I foresee lots of "no, it's actually Cas-PAR" conversations in the poor kids future!

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