John

♀ Girl

Pronounced JON /ˈdʒɒn/High

Meaning: From the Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious' (Yah, 'God,' + chanan, 'gracious'), through Greek and Latin John. One of the most enduring boys' names in the English-speaking world; used here for a girl, though it is strongly a boy's name.Medium

In 30 seconds: A timeless classic: John means 'God is gracious' (said 'JON'). Strongly a boy's name — we note the lean.

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Origin MediumHebrew

MeaningFrom the Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious' (Yah, 'God,' + chanan, 'gracious'), through Greek and Latin John. One of the most enduring boys' names in the English-speaking world; used here for a girl, though it is strongly a boy's name.

U.S. rank (2025)#13974 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1927

Total births (all-time)≈ 21,746

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

John descends from the Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious,' through Greek and Latin. A cornerstone of the English name tradition, carried by apostles, popes, and kings. As a girl's name it is very rare; it is strongly a boy's name, which we note (said 'JON').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S., against overwhelming boys' use. Rare for girls, timeless, and strong.

Did you know? John comes from the Hebrew for 'God is gracious' — borne by John the Baptist and countless kings and saints — one of the great enduring names; used here for a girl though it is strongly a boy's name, which we note (said 'JON').

Overall data confidence 55%

References — John — Hebrew 'God is gracious'; strongly boy-leaning

Variations

JonJohnnaJonna

Nicknames

JohnnieJonnie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like John…

Joan— the classic feminine of John

Johnna— a like feminine form of John

Joanna— a like 'God is gracious' name

Jane— shares John's Hebrew roots

Jean— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like John

By themehebrew classic cross-sex lean-boy

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name John mean?

John is Hebrew for 'God is gracious,' from Yochanan.

How do you pronounce John?

It's said JON /ˈdʒɒn/ — one syllable.

Is John a boy or girl name?

John is strongly a boy's name; it is used here for a girl, which we note. Feminine forms include Joan and Joanna.

How popular is John?

John is very rare for girls in the U.S. and very common for boys.