Johnny
Johnny is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God is gracious.
Origin and history
Johnny originated as a familiar diminutive of John, which derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan. It became established as an independent given name in the English-speaking world over the centuries. In the United States, it has been a consistently popular classic name, well known in American music and popular culture.
Popularity in the United States
317,918 babies in the United States have been named Johnny since 1880. It ranks #109 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #429.
States where it is most popular
- TX (14.2 %)
- CA (9.8 %)
- GA (7.1 %)
- NC (6.1 %)
- AL (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 194 |
| 1890-1900 | 316 |
| 1900-1910 | 814 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,834 |
| 1920-1930 | 11,342 |
| 1930-1940 | 24,596 |
| 1940-1950 | 57,200 |
| 1950-1960 | 65,786 |
| 1960-1970 | 49,843 |
| 1970-1980 | 32,024 |
| 1980-1990 | 23,503 |
| 1990-2000 | 18,488 |
| 2000-2010 | 14,321 |
| 2010-2019 | 11,259 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,398 |
Famous people named Johnny
- Johnny Cash: Musician, Singer
- Johnny Depp: Actor, Producer
- Johnny Carson: Television Host, Comedian
Nicknames
John, Jay
Fun facts
- While historically a nickname for John, Johnny has long been registered as an independent official name on U.S. birth certificates.
- The name is embedded in American folklore and music, from Johnny Appleseed to classic rock and country songs.