John
John is a boys' name of Hebrew origin meaning “God is gracious.” It ranked #23 in the United States in 2025. From the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning God is gracious.
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how do you pronounce John?
JON
where does the name John come from?
From the Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (Yochanan), joining Yah, the divine name, with a root meaning to be gracious — God is gracious. It reached English through Greek Ioannes and Latin Iohannes, losing a syllable at each step.
One of the most enduring names in the Western world, John has been borne by 23 popes, numerous kings, and countless saints. Despite its ubiquity it remains a strong, timeless choice.
the history of John
John the Baptist and John the Evangelist between them made this the most common male name in Christian Europe for the better part of a millennium; twenty-three popes have taken it. It was so ubiquitous in England that it produced the surnames Johnson, Jones and Jackson, and generated Jack, which then became a name in its own right.
how popular is this name?
John has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #1 in 1880, and ranked #23 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #23 |
| 2024 | #21 |
| 2023 | #26 |
| 2022 | #26 |
| 2021 | #27 |
| 2020 | #27 |
| 2019 | #28 |
| 2018 | #26 |
| 2017 | #27 |
| 2016 | #28 |
| 2010 | #26 |
| 2000 | #14 |
| 1990 | #12 |
| 1980 | #8 |
| 1970 | #4 |
| 1960 | #4 |
| 1950 | #3 |
| 1940 | #3 |
| 1930 | #3 |
| 1920 | #1 |
| 1910 | #1 |
| 1900 | #1 |
| 1890 | #1 |
| 1880 | #1 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years John fell outside the top 1,000.
what are the nicknames and variants of John?
Nicknames
who are famous people named John?
- John F. Kennedy (U.S. president)
- John Lennon (musician)
- John the Baptist (biblical figure)
what names are similar to John?
what names go well with John?
Sibling names that share John's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about John
What does the name John mean?
John means “God is gracious”.
What is the origin of the name John?
John comes from the Hebrew naming tradition. Related forms include Jean, Juan, Giovanni and Ivan.
How popular is the name John?
John ranked #23 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1880, at #1, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is John a boy or girl name?
John is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce John?
John is pronounced JON, with 1 syllable.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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