John

Meaning: God is gracious · Origin: Hebrew · Gender: usually a boy's name

Origin & history

From Hebrew Yochanan, 'Yahweh is gracious'. John the Baptist and John the Apostle made it the most widespread Christian name for centuries.

Famous people named John

John Lennon (musician)
John F. Kennedy (US president)

Nicknames

Jack, Johnny

Variants & related names

Juan, Jean, Giovanni, Ivan, Sean

John name art

A free preview of a printable “John” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name John mean?

John means “God is gracious”. It comes from Hebrew.

Is John a popular name?

Yes — John has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for John?

Jack, Johnny.

What are other forms of John?

Juan, Jean, Giovanni, Ivan, Sean.

Similar names

Micah · Giovanni · Nathaniel · Jonah · Zachary · Toby

More: names starting with J · all boys' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.