"healer, to heal"
Origin: Greek Iason
Language: English
Jason
Pronunciation: [ j-AYS-uhn ]
Does Jason flow with your last name?
Greek hero, 70s icon, generation-defining name
English
American
Greek
French
Classic
Strong
Traditional
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Jason
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Jason
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"son of Aeson, the hero who sought the Golden Fleece"
Origin: Greek mythology
Language: English
"to heal, healer"
Origin: Greek iasthai
Language: English
"the healer (Iason)"
Origin: Greek mythology
Language: Greek
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Jason
See all →What the Jason report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Jason the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Jason
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Jason head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Jason actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Jason Voorhees, the hockey-masked killer from the Friday the 13th franchise — some parents avoid it for this reason
The Story of Jason
Jason comes from the Greek 'Iason,' derived from the verb 'iasthai,' meaning 'to heal.' In Greek mythology, Jason was the legendary hero who led the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece — a story of ambition, adventure, and the price of glory. The name passed into Latin as Jason and became popular in Christian contexts because of a Saint Jason mentioned in the New Testament as a companion of Paul. It was revived as a given name in the English-speaking world in the 20th century.
Jason exploded to become one of the most popular boy names in America during the 1970s and 1980s. It ranked in the US top 5 from 1971 to 1980 and remained in the top 10 through 1987. The name's popularity was driven by pure cultural momentum — once common, it became more common. It has been declining since its peak but remains recognizable across generations.
Jason carries the weight of a 1970s American childhood — it's the quintessential name of that generation, as common then as Liam and Noah are today. Greek mythology gives it heroic credentials through the Argonaut story. The horror franchise Friday the 13th (1980-present) created a more sinister association, though this hasn't deterred most parents.
Historical Record
Jason first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,045,570 babies have been named Jason in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jason is past its peak , currently ranked #148 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jason ranked #1 in the United States in 1974 and 1975
- The myth of Jason and the Argonauts is one of the oldest adventure stories in Western literature, predating Homer
- Jason Voorhees first appeared in Friday the 13th (1980) and has appeared in 12 films, becoming one of horror's most iconic figures
Jason in Other Languages
Greek
Ιάσων (Iasōn)
French
Jason
German
Jason
Hebrew
ג'ייסון
Italian
Giasone
Spanish
Jasón
Popularity Over Time
#148
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1974
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Jason
J
Jason Derulo
Musician
1989
American singer-songwriter and dancer with multiple platinum singles
J
Jason Momoa
Actor
1979
American actor known for Aquaman and Game of Thrones
J
Jason Statham
Actor
1967
British actor known for action films including The Transporter
J
Jason Bourne Fictional
Other
Fictional CIA operative and amnesiac spy protagonist of Robert Ludlum's novel series and the film franchise
J
Jason Voorhees Fictional
Other
Iconic fictional horror villain of the Friday the 13th franchise, known for his hockey mask
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Malakai
Boy
"messenger of God"
#233
Brandon
Boy
"raven hill"
#230
Sawyer
Boy
"woodcutter, carpenter"
#132
Hudson
Boy
"son of the hood/hooded man"
#22
Paxton
Boy
"peace town; settlement of peace"
#288
Compare Jason with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #148
- Total SSA Count
- 2,448
- Cultural Origins
- English American Greek French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Jay
Jase
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jason
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Jason
Phonetic neighbors that share Jason's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Jason fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Jason is also used as a girl name, ranked #64951.
View Jason as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Jason →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Jason with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Jason
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Jason and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Jason sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Malakai
Boy
Biblical Hebrew origin
"messenger of God"
#233 in US
Brandon
Boy
Celtic origin
"raven hill"
#230 in US
Sawyer
Boy
English occupational origin
"woodcutter, carpenter"
#132 in US
Hudson
Boy
Old English origin
"son of the hood/hooded man"
#22 in US
Paxton
Boy
Latin/Old English origin
"peace town; settlement of peace"
#288 in US
Zayden
Boy
Arabic origin
"growth, abundance (speculative)"
#202 in US
Archer
Boy
Old English origin
"one who shoots with a bow and arrow"
#115 in US
Jensen
Boy
Hebrew via Scandinavian origin
"son of God's grace"
#328 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Jason's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jason
What does the name Jason mean?
"healer, to heal" (from Greek Iason). "son of Aeson, the hero who sought the Golden Fleece" (from Greek mythology). "to heal, healer" (from Greek iasthai). "the healer (Iason)" (from Greek mythology). Jason comes from the Greek 'Iason,' derived from the verb 'iasthai,' meaning 'to heal.' In Greek mythology, Jason was the legendary hero who led the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece — a story of ambition, adventure, and the price of glory. The name passed into Latin as Jason and became popular in Christian contexts because of a Saint Jason mentioned in the New Testament as a companion of Paul. It was revived as a given name in the English-speaking world in the 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Jason?
Jason has Greek Iason, Greek mythology, Greek iasthai, English, American, Greek, and French origins. In Greek Iason, it means "healer, to heal". In Greek mythology, it means "son of Aeson, the hero who sought the Golden Fleece". In Greek iasthai, it means "to heal, healer". In Greek mythology, it means "the healer (Iason)".
Is Jason a boy or girl name?
Jason is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #148. As a girl name, it is ranked #64951. Jason is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jason?
Jason is pronounced j-AYS-uhn.
How popular is the name Jason?
Jason is currently ranked #148 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jason?
Common nicknames for Jason include Jay and Jase.
What are good middle names for Jason?
Popular middle name pairings include Jason Michael, Jason Thomas, Jason Lee, Jason Alexander, Jason Robert, Jason William, and Jason Aaron.
What are good sibling names for Jason?
Names that pair well with Jason as siblings include Ryan, Kevin, Amanda, Jennifer, Tyler, Brandon, and Michelle.
How many syllables does Jason have?
Jason has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jason a common or rare name?
Jason is a popular name, ranked #148 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Jason
Jason is a boy name with English, American, Greek, and French origins . The name means "healer, to heal" in Greek Iason .
Is Jason a boy or girl name? Jason is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #148 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #64,951. Jason is more commonly used as a boy name.
Jason is currently ranked #148 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jason has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-AYS-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Jason include Jay and Jase. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Greek Iason Names
Browse all names with this origin
J
Names Starting with J
More boy names like Jason
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis