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Home › Baby Names Directory › Johnson

Johnson

♂ Boy

Pronounced JON-sun /ˈdʒɑn.sən/High

Meaning: From the surname Johnson, 'son of John' — John from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'High

In 30 seconds: One of the world's great surnames, worn out front: Johnson means 'son of John' — 'God is gracious'. Presidential, all-American, and weighty with history. A bold surname-name.
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Origin HighEnglish, Hebrew
MeaningFrom the surname Johnson, 'son of John' — John from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'
U.S. rank (2025)#3406 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births34 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2000
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,021

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200018802025

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

Johnson comes from the English patronymic surname 'son of John' — John from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'. Among the most widespread surnames in the English-speaking world, it crosses to a first name in the surname-name tradition, carrying presidential and literary weight.

It registers thinly as a first name. Rare in that use, gracious at the root, and sturdily American.

Did you know? Johnson is one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world — and two U.S. presidents (Andrew and Lyndon) carried it — all tracing back to plain John, 'God is gracious'.
Overall data confidence 82%
Surname dictionaries — Johnson — patronymic etymology

Variations

JohnstonJonson

Nicknames

JohnSonny

Famous Bearers

  • ★Johnson Oatman Jr. (1856-1922)
    American hymn writer who composed lyrics to thousands of gospel songs including 'Count Your Blessings'
  • ★Johnson Hagood (1829-1898)
    Confederate general during the American Civil War who later served as governor of South Carolina

If you like Johnson…

Jameson— a fellow -son surname-name
Jackson— the companion 'son of Jack' name
Emerson— another -son crossover name
Jaxston— another English name
Benton— shares the -on ending

Explore names like Johnson

By themeenglishsurname-namepatronymic
By meaningGod / DivineGrace

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Johnson mean?

Johnson means 'son of John', John being Hebrew for 'God is gracious'.

How do you pronounce Johnson?

It's said JON-sun /ˈdʒɑn.sən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Johnson a boy or girl name?

Johnson is a boy's name.

How popular is Johnson?

Johnson is a rare first name in the U.S.

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