Boy · 1st of 7,545
John
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
5,196,210
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
88,524
Peak Births
Generational story
Where John stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name John has Hebrew origins, meaning 'Yahweh is gracious.' It evolved through various languages, maintaining its significance in Christian tradition. The name is associated with traits of reliability and tradition, and it has a strong biblical relevance through figures such as John the Baptist. John has remained a popular choice throughout history, with variants like Johnny and Juan reflecting its widespread use.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/dʒɒn/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name John is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, which means 'Yahweh is gracious.' It was popularized through the New Testament in the Christian tradition.
Meaning
Yahweh is gracious
Language Evolution
Yochanan (Hebrew), Ioannes (Greek), Iohannes (Latin), John (English)
Biblical Background
The name appears multiple times in the Bible, notably referring to John the Baptist and the Apostle John.
Historical Usage
John has been a popular name in Christian communities since the early centuries of the church, particularly due to its biblical associations.
Variants & Derivatives
Johnny, Jon, Jack, Johann, Juan
Modern Popularity & Image
John remains a classic name, often associated with reliability and tradition, and it is widely used in many cultures around the world.
Famous People
John Locke (philosopher), John F. Kennedy (U.S. President), John Lennon (musician), John Steinbeck (author)
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 88,524 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Massachusetts
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 15 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1st of 7545 | 909,254 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3rd of 6773 | 973,818 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3rd of 7552 | 1,525,130 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4th of 10718 | 755,673 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 9th of 16616 | 463,649 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 18th of 24088 | 256,732 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 24th of 23106 | 109,773 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 399th of 9107 | 4,988 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 435th of 9204 | 4,692 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 646th of 12526 | 4,125 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 644th of 19264 | 4,060 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1154th of 27321 | 2,283 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4771st of 35406 | 445 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 9484th of 30306 | 129 |