We’re celebrating National Jason Day this April 26. Jason is a common first name in most English-speaking countries. The name is borrowed from the Greek ‘Iásōn,’ which means ‘healer.’ There are more than 900,000 people named Jason in the U.S. alone, and over 70,000 of them are located in California. It has been a favorite boy’s name since its appearance in Greek mythology and later in Christian theology. Actors like Jason Bateman, Jason Momoa, Jason Sudeikis, and singers like Jason Mraz and Jason Derulo represent some of the most prominent personalities with the name.
History of National Jason Day
Jason of the Argonauts is the first notable mention of the name in history. The epic tale of this hero on his journey to claim the Golden Fleece is outlined in various Greek literary works. Like many Greco-Roman heroic tragedies, the story’s objective is to teach the reader, through the protagonist, the values of compassion and humility, and that one must always fear the gods. Jason’s tale was immortalized in the 1963 film “Jason and the Argonauts” and the 2000 television series of the same name.In 2002, the world was introduced to a modern hero, Jason Bourne. Dubbed America’s response to James Bond, Bourne characterized the haunted super-spy action hero in real-time. If Jason Bourne defined the action hero, Jason Voorhees was the ultimate villain. First introduced on “Friday the 13th” in the 1980s, the horror movie franchise reinvented itself in 2009. “Freddy vs Jason,” “Jason X,” a 2009 remake of “Friday the 13th,” and “His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th,” all came out that year. Despite never saying a word, Voorhees left a big impression on audiences and remains one of the most instantly recognizable bad guys over a decade later.Serious roles aren’t all that Jason’s are known for. Jason Jordan Segel, who played Marshall Eriksen on the CBS series “How I Met Your Mother,” perfectly captured the awkward but adorable best friend we all want. His spontaneity, heartwarming pep talks, and appealing personality were envied and admired equally. Segel also wrote and starred in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” playing the role of Peter Bretter, a television show music composer.
National Jason Day timeline
Actor Jason Statham plays Frank Martin, a driver, and mercenary for hire.
Despite having had two knee operations, University of Oklahoma quarterback Jason White wins the Heisman Football Trophy.
Jason Bateman and Jason Sudeikis star in “Horrible Bosses.”
Jason Momoa revives the “Aquaman” superhero franchise, turning the character from a long-running joke to a Hollywood action lead.
National Jason Day FAQs
Is Jason a Biblical name?
Yes, it is. Jason is mentioned in the New Testament.
What does Jason mean?
‘Jason’ is Greek for ‘healer.’
Who was Jason in Greek mythology?
Jason was a hero, leading the Argonauts on a quest to find the Golden Fleece.
National Jason Day Activities
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Host a costume party
There are plenty of dress-up options for a National Jason Day celebration. For example, you could choose to show up as the masked Jason Voorhees or Jason Lee Scott from the Power Ranger series.
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Read “Argonautica”
“Argonautica” is an epic poem about the Greek hero Jason. It documents some of his adventures.
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Host a movie marathon
Pick a theme for a movie night such as ‘action’ or ‘horror’. There’s no shortage of movies with Jason’s in them for your entertainment.
5 Interesting Facts About Jason
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Jason could have been Josh
Jason Voorhees, the silent protagonist of the “Friday the 13th” horror film and its many spin-offs, was originally meant to be named ‘Josh.’ Screenwriter Victor Miller, however, decided to change the name.
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Acting is in the genes
Actor Jason Sudeikis is the nephew of “Cheers” star George Wendt.
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Before the action films
Before getting into acting, Jason Statham, star of “Transporter” and “Expendables,” was a professional diver.
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Untruths on their Resume
Jason Momoa, who played Khal Drogo and Aquaman, lied about winning model of the year on his CV so he could land his first acting gig on “Baywatch: Hawaii.”
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Never graduated
Jason Bateman never finished high school; he was too busy filming “Teen Wolf” to complete his diploma.
Why We Love National Jason Day
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Men of action
Jasons seem to be men of action whether as real-life characters or as fictional ones. Perhaps this is what has kept this name so popular.
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Consistent popularity
Despite its age, Jason has remained a favorite name for boys. The name reached its peak popularity in 2020.
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A curious observation
Jason is the acronym for five, consecutive months of the year — July, August, September, October, and November. That right there makes the name rather unique.
National Jason Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 26 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | April 26 | Friday |
| 2025 | April 26 | Saturday |
| 2026 | April 26 | Sunday |
| 2027 | April 26 | Monday |
