English form of
Iohannes, the Latin form of the Greek name Ἰωάννης (
Ioannes), itself derived from the Hebrew name יוֹחָנָן (Yoḥanan). It means "
Yahweh is gracious", from the roots יוֹ (
Yo) referring to the Hebrew God and חָנַן (ḥanan) meaning "to be gracious". The Hebrew form occurs
In the Old Testament (spelled
Johanan or
Jehohanan In the
English version), but this name owes its popularity to two New Testament characters, both highly revered saints. The first is
John the
Baptist, a Jewish ascetic who is considered the forerunner of
Jesus.
He baptized
Jesus and was later executed by
Herod Antipas. The second is the apostle
John, who is traditionally regarded as the author of the fourth gospel and Revelation. With the apostles
Peter and
James (
John's brother),
He was part of the inner circle of
Jesus.This name was initially more common among Eastern Christians
In the Byzantine Empire, but it flourished
In Western
Europe after the First Crusade.
In England it became extremely popular, typically being the most common male name from the 13th to the 20th century (but sometimes outpaced by
William). During the later Middle Ages it was given to approximately a fifth of all
English boys.
In the United States it was the most common name for boys until 1923.The name (
In various spellings) has been borne by 21 popes and eight Byzantine emperors, as well as rulers of England,
France, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Portugal, Bulgaria, Russia and Hungary. It was also borne by the poet
John Milton (1608-1674), philosopher
John Locke (1632-1704), American founding father and president
John Adams (1735-1826), and poet
John Keats (1795-1821). Famous bearers of the 20th century include author
John Steinbeck (1902-1968), assassinated American president
John F.
Kennedy (1917-1963), and musician
John Lennon (1940-1980).The forms
Ian (
Scottish),
Sean (
Irish) and
Evan (
Welsh) have also been frequently used
In the English-speaking world, as has the medieval diminutive
Jack.