Jason (given name)

For other uses, see Jason (disambiguation).

Jason

Sculpture of Jason by Bertel Thorvaldsen

Pronunciation| English: /ˈdʒeɪsən/ JAY-sən
French: [ʒazɔ̃]
Gender| Male
Origin
Word/name| Greek
Meaning| "Healer"
Other names
Variant form(s)| Jaeson, Jaison, Jayson, Jacyn, Jacin, Jasen
Nickname(s)|  Jay, Jase, Jace
Related names| Jacin,  Jasen, Jasão

This article contains special characters. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols.

Jason is a common masculine given name. It comes from Greek Ἰάσων (Iásōn),[1] meaning "healer", from the verb ἰάομαι (iáomai), "heal", "cure",[2] cognate with Ἰασώ (Iasṓ), the goddess of healing,[3] and ἰατρός (iatrós), "healer", "physician".[4] Forms of related words have been attested in Greek from as far back as Mycenaen (in Linear B) and Arcadocypriot (in the Cypriot syllabary) Greek: 𐀂𐀊𐀳, i-ja-te and i-ja-te-ra-ne, respectively, both regarded as standing for inflected forms of ἰατήρ, "healer".[5][6][7]

The name was borne in Greek mythology by Jason, the great Thessalian hero who led the Argonauts in the quest for the Golden Fleece. The name is also found in the New Testament, as the house of a man named Jason was used as a refuge by Paul and Silas.[8] In his case, it could come as a Hellenized form of Joshua.

Its adoption in the United Kingdom peaked during the 1970s, when it was among the top 20 male names, but it had fallen out of the top 100 by 2003.[9]

Jason is the most common spelling; however, there are many variant spellings such as Jaeson, Jaison, Jayson, and Jacyn. Jay and Jace are the common diminutives.

A feminine name that sounds similar is Jacin, derived from the Portuguese-Spanish name Jacinta or the Anglicized version Jacinda, meaning hyacinth.[10]

## Notable people with the name

[edit]

### Historical figures

[edit]

* Jason, mythological leader of the Argonauts
* Jason (high priest) (2nd century BCE), High Priest of Jerusalem
* Jason the Martyr (3rd century), saint and martyr
* Jason of Cyrene (circa 100 BCE), Jewish historian
* Jason of Nysa (circa 100 BCE), Stoic philosopher
* Jason of Pherae (died 370 BCE), King of Thessaly
* Jason of Tarsus, saint numbered among the 72 Apostles
* Jason of Tralles (1st century BCE), tragic actor singing the Bacchae of Euripides when the head of Crassus was brought to the king Orodes II[11]

### Born 1400–1900

[edit]

* Giasone del Maino (1435–1519), Italian jurist
* Giason Denores (1530-1590)
* Jason W. Briggs (1821–1899), American leader of the Latter Day Saint movement
* Jason B. Parrish (1878–1906), American football player and coach
* Jason Downer (1813–1883), American judge in Wisconsin
* Jason E. Hammond (1862–1957), American educator and politician
* Jason Fairbanks (1780–1801), American murderer
* Jay Gould (1836–1892), American railroad magnate
* Jason Haven (1733–1803), American minister
* Jason John Nassau (1893–1965) American Astronomer
* Jason Lee (missionary) (1803–1845), Canadian missionary
* Jason M. Saunderson (1886-1950) American head coach
* Jason Pratensis (1486–1558), Dutch neurologist and poet
* Jason Ralph (footballer) (1872–1952), Australian rules footballer
* Jason Robards Sr (1892-1963), American actor
* Jason Rogers (publisher) (1868-1932), American publisher
* Jason Russell (1716–1775), American whose home was the site of a battle in the American Revolutionary War
* Jason Smogorzewski (1717–1779), Bishop of Ruthenia
* Jason Strevell (1832-1903) American lawyer

### Born after 1900

[edit]

* Jabba (presenter), Australian actor and TV presenter also known as Jason Davis
* Jason (Spanish footballer) (born 1994), Spanish football player
* Jason Abalos (born 1985), Filipino actor
* Jason Akermanis (born 1977), Australian rules footballer
* Jason Aldean (born 1977), American country singer
* Jason Alexander (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason Ankrah (born 1991), American football player
* Jason Bateman (born 1969), American television and film actor
* Jason Baumgartner, American electrical engineer
* Jason Beaulieu (born 1994), Canadian soccer player
* Jason Benjamin (1971–2021), Australian artist
* Jason Berger (1924-2010), American painter
* Jason Bergmann (born 1981), American baseball player
* Jason Bernard (1938-1996), American actor
* Jason Berry (born 1949), American journalist
* Jason Biggs (born 1978), American actor
* Jason Black (musician), American musician
* Jason L Blair, American writer and game designer
* Jason Boe (1929-1990), American politician
* Jason Bohm, U.S marine major general
* Jason Bohn (born 1973), American golfer
* Jason Bond, American biologist
* Jason Bonham (born 1966), English drummer, son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham
* Jason Brown (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason Brownlee (born 1999), American football player
* Jason Cabinda (born 1996), American football player
* Jason Carter (born 1960) English actor
* Jason Castro (born 1987), American baseball player
* Jason Castro (born 1987), American singer and musician
* Jason Chan, Hong Kong singer
* Jason Charles Miller (born 1972) American musician
* Jason Chorak (born 1974), American football player
* Jason Christopher (born 1971), American musician
* Jason Clark (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason Clarke (born 1969), Australian actor
* Jason Clarke (writer) (born 1978), American writer and web developer
* Jason Collier (1977–2005), American basketball player
* Jason Collins (born 1978), American basketball player
* Jason Connery (born 1963), English actor
* Jason Crowe (born 1978), English footballer
* Jason Crowe (basketball) (born 1976), American basketball player
* Jason Crumb (born 1973), Canadian football player
* Jason Crump (born 1975), Australian motorcycle speedway rider
* Jason Cundy (born 1969), English association footballer and broadcaster
* Jason Danino-Holt (born 1987), Israeli actor and TV presenter
* Jason Dawe (ice hockey) (born 1973), Canadian ice hockey player
* Jason Dawe (presenter) (born 1967), English journalist and TV presenter
* Jason Daly, Westmeath Gaelic footballer
* Jason Day (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason Demers (born 1988), Canadian ice hockey player
* Jason Derulo (born 1989), American singer
* Jason Donovan (born 1968), Australian actor and singer
* Jason Dooley (born 1971), American drummer
* Jason Drucker (born 2005), American child actor
* Jason Dunstall (born 1964), Australian rules footballer
* Jason Dy (born 1990), Filipino singer and songwriter
* Jason Earles (born 1977), American actor and comedian
* Jason Ellis (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason Ellsworth, American politician
* Jason Epstein (1928–2022) American editor
* Jason Farradane (1906–1989), British librarian and pioneer in Information science
* Jason Forbes (born 1990), British actor, writer, comedian, impressionist, and TV presenter
* Jason Francisco (born 1987), Filipino actor and comedian
* Jason David Frank (1973–2022), American actor and MMA fighter
* Jason Garrett (born 1966), American football coach and player
* Jason Geria (born 1993), Australian football player
* Jason Giambi (born 1971), American professional baseball player
* Jason Gilkison, Australian choreographer and dancer
* Jason Griffith (born 1980), American actor and voice actor
* Jason "Jace" Hall (born 1971), American film, television, and video game producer
* Jason Healey, American researcher and scholar
* Jason Henderson (disambiguation) (born 2003), British photographer
* Jason Hickel (born 1982), anthropologist and professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona
* Jason Holder (born 1991), Barbados and West Indies cricketer
* Jason Holt (born 1993), Scottish footballer
* Jason Holt (businessman) (born 1969), British businessman
* Jason Horton (born 1980), American football player
* Jason Hughes (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason Huntley (born 1998), American football player
* Jason Hyland, American former Acting United States Ambassador to Japan
* Jason Todd Ipson (born 1972), American director, screenwriter, producer, fashion photographer and surgeon
* Jason Isaacs (born 1963), English actor
* Jason Kander (born 1981), American politician
* Jason Kapono (born 1981), American basketball player
* Jason Katims (born 1960), American TV writer
* Jason Kelce (born 1987), American football player
* Jason Keng-Kwin Chan (born 1971), Malaysian-Australian actor
* Jason Kennedy (footballer) (born 1986), English association football player
* Jason Kennedy (TV personality) (born 1981), American television personality
* Jason Kidd (born 1973), American basketball player and coach
* Jason Killeen (born 1985), Irish basketball player
* Jason King (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason Kingdon, English entrepreneur
* Jason Knight (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason Kouchak, French musician and composer
* Jason C. Kovacic (born 1968), Australian cardiologist
* Jason Kralt (born 1974), Canadian football player
* Jason Lai (born 1974), British orchestral conductor
* Jason Lamar (born 1978), American football player
* Jason Lee (judge) (born 1915-1980), American politician
* Jason Lee (actor) (born 1970), American actor
* Jason Leonard (born 1968), England international rugby union player
* Jason Lewis (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason London (born 1972), American actor
* Jason Lowndes (1994–2017), Australian cyclist
* Jason Lytle (born 1969), American musician
* Jason Maguire (born 1980), Irish horse racing jockey
* Jason Manuel Olazabal (born 1973), American actor
* Jason Marsden (born 1975), American actor
* Jason Martin-Smith (1972–2001), English murder victim
* Jason Marquis (born 1978), American baseball player
* Jason Matheson (born 1974), American television and radio host
* Jason McCartney (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason McGill (born 1966), English football chairman
* Jason McManus (1934–2019) American journalist
* Jason Mewes (born 1974), American actor
* Jason Micklefield, English Biochemist and professor of Chemistry
* Jason Miles, (born 1951), American composer
* Jason Molins (born 1974), Irish cricketer
* Jason Momoa (born 1979), American actor
* Jason Moore (disambiguation), multiple people
* W. Jason Morgan (1935-2023), American geophysicist
* Jason Mraz (born 1977), American singer-songwriter
* Jason Nash (born 1973), American actor, writer, director, comedian, podcaster, YouTuber and Viner
* Jason Nemes (born 1978), American politician
* Jason Newsted (born 1963), American bass player, member of the band Metallica
* Jason Ng (born 2000), triathlete from Hong Kong
* Jason Okundaye (born 1997), British writer
* Jason Orange (born 1970), English musician, member of the band Take That
* Jason Pearce (born 1987), English footballer
* Jason Petta (born 1975), American physicist
* Jason Pinnock (born 1999), American football player
* Jason Priestley (born 1969), Canadian television and film actor
* Jason Reynolds, American novelist
* Jason Richardson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason Ritter (born 1980), American actor, son of actor John Ritter
* Jason Robards (1922–2000), American actor
* Jason Rosenfield (born 1945), American film director and editor
* Jason Roy (born 1990), English cricket player
* Jason Sagle, Canadian quarter-professional poker player fourth in Main Event 2024
* Jason Sanders (born 1995), American football player
* Jason Sangha, Australian-Indian cricket player
* Jason Sapan (born 1950), American holographer
* Jason Scheff (born 1962), American musician, member of the band Chicago
* Jason Schmidt (born 1973), American baseball player
* Jason Schmidt (photographer) (born 1969), American photographer
* Jason Schwartzman (born 1980), American actor and musician
* Jason Scott (born 1970), American archivist and historian of technology
* Jason Scott (rower) (born 1970), American Olympic rower
* Jason Scott Lee (born 1966), Asian-American actor
* Jason Seife (born 1989), American visual artist and painter
* Jason Segel (born 1980), American television actor
* Jason Sherlock (born 1976), Dublin Gaelic footballer
* Jason Siggers (born 1985), American basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League
* Jason Smith (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason Spencer (born 1974), American politician and physician assistant
* Jason Spezza (born 1983), Canadian ice hockey player
* Jason Statham (born 1967), English actor
* Jason Steffen (born 1975), American Astrophysicist
* Jason Strowbridge (born 1996), American football player
* Jason Stuart (born 1969), American actor and comedian
* Jason Sudeikis (born 1975), American actor and comedian
* Jason Richard Swallen (1903–1991), American botanist
* Jason Tarry (born 1966/67), British retail executive
* Jason Taylor (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason Terry (born 1977), American basketball player
* Jason Van Hollander (born 1949), American illustrator
* Jason Vargas (born 1983), American baseball pitcher
* Jason Varitek (born 1972), American baseball catcher
* Jason Verduzco (born 1970), American football player
* Jason Wade (born 1980), American musician, member of the band Lifehouse
* Jason Walter Brown (born 1938), American neurologist
* Jason Walters (born 1985), Dutch citizen sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges related to Islamic terrorism
* Jason Watkins (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason Watson (footballer) (born 1991), Jamaican footballer
* Jason Watson (jockey) (born 2000s), English jockey
* Jason Westrol (born 1988), American basketball player
* Jason Whitaker (born 1977), American football player
* Jason White (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jason Williams (basketball, born 1975) (born 1975), American NBA basketball player
* Jason Williams (basketball, born 1983) (born 1983), American international basketball player
* Jason Wilsher-Mills (born 1969) English artist
* Jason Wingreen (1920–2015), American actor
* Jason Winston George (born 1972), American actor
* Jason Wright (born 1982), American football player, businessman, and executive
* Jason F. Wright (born 1971), American author and speaker
* Jason Young (born 1980), Thai actor and singer
* Jason Yuan (born 1942), Taiwanese politician and diplomat
* Jason Zandamela (born 2005), Mozambican-born American football player
* Jason Zimmerman (born 1989), American professional Super Smash Bros. player, known as 'Mew2King'
* Jason Zucker (born 1992), American ice hockey player

## Animals

[edit]

* Jason, a cat on the BBC series Blue Peter

## Fictional characters

[edit]

* Jason, portrayed by Kurt Dykhuizen in Barney & Friends
* Jason, portrayed by Salim Grant in Barney and the Backyard Gang
* Jason, an antagonist in the animated series Craig of the Creek
* Jason, a child in the Broadway show, Falsettos
* Jason, the protagonist of the cartoon web-series An Egg's Guide to Minecraft and supporting character in The Crack!
* Jason, Wonder Woman's evil twin brother in the DC Rebirth era
* Jason the Bodyguard, played by Nathaniel Martin Thomas in the web-series Corner Shop Show
* Jason Blood, aka Etrigan, a DC Comics character
* Jason Blossom, the twin brother of Cheryl Blossom in Archie Comics and ABC TV show Riverdale
* Jason Bourne, protagonist of Robert Ludlum's novels and their film adaptations
* Jason Carver, an antagonist from Stranger Things
* Jason Costello, a character in Hollyoaks
* Jason Cramer, character on the HBO drama Oz
* Jason Cross, from High School Musical
* Jason "J.D." Dean, the main antagonist in the 1988 film Heathers
* Jason Evans, a character in the 2004 disaster film The Day After Tomorrow
* Jason Fox, from the comic strip FoxTrot
* Jason "Jay" Garrick, the first Flash from DC Comics
* Jason Gideon, from Criminal Minds
* Jason Grace, a son of Jupiter and one of the main characters in Rick Riordan's The Heroes of Olympus novels
* Jason Grimshaw, from the soap opera Coronation Street
* Jason Hogart, from Degrassi: The Next Generation
* Jason Hyde, from The Astounding Jason Hyde
* Jason King, a fictional character played by actor Peter Wyngarde in the TV series Department S and Jason King.
* Jason Mars, one of the main character's sons from Heavy Rain
* Jason Mendoza, a principal character in the NBC series The Good Place
* Jason Morgan from General Hospital
* Jason Pembroke, a character in the American sitcom Charles in Charge
* Jason Lee Scott, the first Red Ranger and later the Golden Ranger in the Power Rangers franchise
* Jason Rudd, a character in Agatha Christie's 1962 novel, The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side
* Jason Rusch, the second Firestorm from DC Comics
* Dr. Jason Roland Seaver, a character in the American television sitcom Growing Pains
* Jason Stackhouse, in The Southern Vampire Mysteries series by Charlaine Harris
* Jason Stentley (known better by nickname C.J. for "Captain Jason"), a police captain in the show Brooklyn Nine-Nine
* Jason Street, on the TV series Friday Night Lights
* Jason Todd, the second Robin in Batman comics, later revived as Red Hood
* Jason Voorhees, antagonist of the Friday the 13th franchise
* Jason White (disambiguation), several people, including fictional characters

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Slater, William J. (1969). "Ἰάσων". Lexicon to Pindar. Berlin: De Gruyter. At the Perseus Project.
2. ^ ἰάομαι. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project.
3. ^ Ἰασώ in Liddell and Scott.
4. ^ ἰατρός in Liddell and Scott.
5. ^ ἰατήρ in Liddell and Scott.
6. ^ Inscription PY Eq 146, line 9. "The Linear B word i-ja-te". Palaeolexicon. Word study tool of ancient languages. Raymoure, K.A. "i-ja-te". Minoan Linear A & Mycenaean Linear B. Deaditerranean. Archived from the original on 2013-10-13. Retrieved 2014-03-15. "Linear B to Greek: i-ja-te to i-qo". Konoso. 21 December 2013. "PY 146 Eq + frr.: 3 + frr. (1)". DĀMOS: Database of Mycenaean at Oslo. University of Oslo.
7. ^ Woodard, Roger D., ed. (2008). "Greek Dialects". The Ancient Languages of Europe. Cambridge University Press. p. 70. ISBN 9781139469326. At Google Books.
8. ^ Acts 17:5–9
9. ^ www.babynames.co.uk
10. ^ Thomas W. Sheehan, Dictionary of Patron Saints' Names, p. 139, at Google Books. Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, 2001. "Jacinta: 'The Hyacinth Flower' (Spanish) or 'The Wearer of Purple' (Portuguese) or 'The Beautiful One' (Spanish). Jacinda: (Greek, Spanish) see Hyacinth, Jacinta."
11. ^ Plutarch, Crassus, chapter 33

Name list

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