The nameJohn
John is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious". The most common English name for centuries, it was the top boys' name in the United States from 1880 to 1923.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
John comes from the Hebrew Yohanan, "Yahweh is gracious" or "God has shown favour", through the Greek Ioannes and the Latin Iohannes.
Origin
Hebrew. Two great figures of the New Testament bear it: John the Baptist and John the Apostle, to whom a Gospel is attributed.
History
John was the most common man's name in England from the late Middle Ages, borne by a king, many saints and countless ordinary men. In the United States it ranked first every year from 1880 to 1923. Jack, Johnny and Jon all come from it, as do Jean, Juan, Giovanni and Ian.
Did you know?
- King John was forced to accept Magna Carta in 1215.
- John F. Kennedy was, at 43, the youngest person ever elected President of the United States.
- John Lennon recorded Imagine in 1971.
Famous people named John
- Saint John the Baptist
- Saint John the Apostle
- John Lennon, musician
- John F. Kennedy, President of the United States
Popularity of the name John
John in the United States
John was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 799,913 births over the decade, 15% of all recorded babies named John. Half of all babies named John in the United States were born before 1952, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 8,063 births a year on average, against 9,624 in the five years before.
John in the United Kingdom
John was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 12,561 births over the decade, 45% of all recorded babies named John. Half of all babies named John in the United Kingdom were born before 2006, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 428 births a year on average, against 604 in the five years before.
John in Ireland
John in France
John in Belgium
John in Switzerland
John in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for John
Names from the same generation as John, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named John? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare John with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of John side by side with the name of your choice.
John in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name John mean?
John comes from the Hebrew Yohanan, "Yahweh is gracious" or "God has shown favour", through the Greek Ioannes and the Latin Iohannes.
What is the origin of the name John?
Hebrew. Two great figures of the New Testament bear it: John the Baptist and John the Apostle, to whom a Gospel is attributed.
Is John a girl's or a boy's name?
John is a boy's name.
How popular is the name John?
In 2024, John was the 21st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 8,047 births.
What are the variants of the name John?
Variants and related names of John include Evan, Evana, Evane, Evann, Evans, Ian, Ianis and Ivan.
What are good sibling names for John?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Elizabeth, Madeline, Maria and Abigail for a sister, Joseph, David, Daniel and Michael for a brother.
Who are famous people named John?
Saint John the Baptist; Saint John the Apostle; John Lennon, musician; John F. Kennedy, President of the United States.