John

John is perhaps one of the most common baby boy names in the world. It is historically and religiously important, which helps to explain its enduring popularity throughout time.

Detailed Meaning

John is the spelling used in the Authorised Version of the New Testament. The name is of great importance in early Christianity: it was borne by John the Baptist (the precursor of Christ himself, who baptized sinners in the River Jordan), by one of Christ’s disciples (John the Apostle, a fisherman, brother of James), and by the author of the fourth gospel (John the Evangelist, identified in Christian tradition with the apostle , but more probably a Greek-speaking Jewish Christian living over half a century later). The name was also borne by many saints and by twenty-three popes. It was also a royal name, being borne by eight Byzantine emperors and by kings of Hungary, Poland, Portugal, France, and elsewhere. In its various forms in different languages, it has been the most perennially popular of all Christian names.

Famous People With This Name

John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States until he was assassinated in 1963. John Lennon was a British singer famous for being part of the band “The Beatles.” John Legend is an American singer and actor. John Cusack is an American actor. John Barrowman is a British-American actor best known for his role as Captain Jack Harkness in “Doctor Who” and “Torchwood.”

Possible Nicknames

One possible nickname for John is Johnny/Jonny/Jonnie.

Related Names

John can also be spelled Jon and Jonne.

Stories Featuring This Name

Dr. John Watson is Sherlock Holmes’ faithful partner in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books and subsequent film and television adaptations. John Wick is the main character of the action film series of the same name, played by Keanu Reeves. John Constantine is an occult detective in the DC Comics universe.