Johnson Boy

Popularity: #904 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JON-suhn //ˈdʒɒnsən//

Origin: English; Hebrew

Meaning: English: son of John; Hebrew: God is gracious

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Johnson is of English origin, derived from the medieval given name John, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." The name Yochanan was translated into Greek as Ioannes, which then passed into Latin as Johannes. The evolution continued into Old French as Johan, before finally becoming Johnson in Middle English, signifying "son of John." This patronymic form became common in England during the Middle Ages, reflecting a widespread naming convention that denoted lineage or descent.

Historically, the name John has been significant, associated with numerous biblical figures, including John the Baptist and John the Apostle. The name gained prominence in England particularly after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when it became a favored name among the nobility and clergy.

The King James Bible, published in 1611, further solidified the name's importance in Christian tradition, as it features several prominent Johns, contributing to its enduring legacy in English-speaking cultures. Culturally, the name Johnson has been associated with various historical figures, including monarchs and saints, which has helped maintain its relevance over the centuries.

The surname has also been linked to significant events and movements, such as the American Civil Rights Movement, through prominent individuals like Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States.

The name's patronymic nature has allowed for various diminutive forms, such as Johnny, to emerge, reflecting familial affection and connection. Overall, Johnson encapsulates a rich linguistic and cultural history, rooted in biblical significance and evolving through centuries of English heritage.

Famous people named Johnson

In this section, you will find notable people named Johnson. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Johnson who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Johnson who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Johnson & Johnson is a multinational corporation best known for consumer health products, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals.

Johnson C. Smith University is a private university best known for its commitment to liberal arts education and community service.

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and multi-industrial leader best known for building efficiency, automotive experience, and energy solutions.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Johnson, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

JacksonMasonEthanLoganAidenCarter

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Johnson. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

JonathanJohnJaxonJensenJordanJaredJasperJett

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Johnson was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Johnson has ranked as high as #2782 nationally, which occurred in 2000, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Florida, and North Carolina.

In the past 5 years the name Johnson has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Johnson is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Johnson was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Johnson.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 34 34 0
2024 32 32 0
2023 48 48 0
2022 49 49 0
2021 46 46 0
2020 62 62 0
2019 59 59 0
2018 55 55 0
2017 61 61 0
2016 72 72 0
2015 75 75 0
2014 61 61 0
2013 62 62 0
2012 64 64 0
2011 72 72 0
2010 60 60 0
2009 85 85 0
2008 71 71 0
2007 95 95 0
2006 94 94 0
2005 78 78 0
2004 87 87 0
2003 97 97 0
2002 79 79 0
2001 82 82 0
2000 111 111 0
1999 78 78 0
1998 65 65 0
1997 85 85 0
1996 102 102 0
1995 93 93 0
1994 87 87 0
1993 106 106 0
1992 87 87 0
1991 92 92 0
1990 89 89 0
1989 98 98 0
1988 91 91 0
1987 104 99 5
1986 94 89 5
1985 82 82 0
1984 68 68 0
1983 85 85 0
1982 92 92 0
1981 63 63 0
1980 55 55 0
1979 36 36 0
1978 30 30 0
1977 27 21 6
1976 35 35 0
1975 25 25 0
1974 32 32 0
1973 18 18 0
1972 30 30 0
1971 22 22 0
1970 19 19 0
1969 29 29 0
1968 31 31 0
1967 29 29 0
1966 31 31 0
1965 37 37 0
1964 43 43 0
1963 41 41 0
1962 31 31 0
1961 42 42 0
1960 38 38 0
1959 29 29 0
1958 27 27 0
1957 41 41 0
1956 26 26 0
1955 31 31 0
1954 41 41 0
1953 40 40 0
1952 45 45 0
1951 39 39 0
1950 46 46 0
1949 45 45 0
1948 60 60 0
1947 51 51 0
1946 40 40 0
1945 47 47 0
1944 55 55 0
1943 51 51 0
1942 54 54 0
1941 37 37 0
1940 32 32 0
1939 37 37 0
1938 44 44 0
1937 37 37 0
1936 37 37 0
1935 39 39 0
1934 40 40 0
1933 38 38 0
1932 54 54 0
1931 33 33 0
1930 52 52 0
1929 58 58 0
1928 66 66 0
1927 57 57 0
1926 61 61 0
1925 57 57 0
1924 64 64 0
1923 63 63 0
1922 52 52 0
1921 85 85 0
1920 69 69 0
1919 77 77 0
1918 79 79 0
1917 60 54 6
1916 70 70 0
1915 74 74 0
1914 52 52 0
1913 32 32 0
1912 42 42 0
1911 18 18 0
1910 24 24 0
1909 24 24 0
1908 17 17 0
1907 16 16 0
1906 25 25 0
1905 38 38 0
1904 20 20 0
1903 14 14 0
1902 13 13 0
1901 18 18 0
1900 36 36 0
1899 22 22 0
1898 10 10 0
1897 11 11 0
1896 20 20 0
1895 13 13 0
1894 6 6 0
1893 13 13 0
1892 20 20 0
1891 24 24 0
1890 16 16 0
1889 13 13 0
1888 18 18 0
1887 11 11 0
1886 11 11 0
1885 13 13 0
1884 13 13 0
1883 12 12 0
1882 11 11 0
1881 11 11 0
1880 13 13 0

Top States for Johnson (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TN 6
55%
CA 5
45%