John F. Kennedy
Thirty-fifth President of the United States
Boy New Testament Rare
John
the grace or mercy of the Lord
Ἰωάννης Iōannēs
John (Greek: Ἰωάννης, Iōannēs) means “the grace or mercy of the Lord”, by traditional interpretation. It is one of the names scripture records as given by God rather than chosen by a parent. In 2025 it was given to 8,033 children in the United States, ranking 23. Around 5,204,377 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Alexander in Acts 4.
Merged person graphTIPNR + BibleData
Which John?
Five men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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John
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John
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John
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John
father of Simon Peter
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John
TIPNR + BibleDataSSA · public domain
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
Concordance Depth Index
101.4 · rank 43
US usage today
rank 23 · 8,033 births in 2025
TIPNR + BibleDataSTEPBible · CC BY
At a glance
- Verses
- 149 across 13 books
- Bearers
- 5 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Gospels
Merged person graph149 verse pairs
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Matthew 3:1 |
| Last appears | Revelation 22:8 |
| Named by God | Yes — scripture records this name as given rather than chosen. |
| Cross-references | 3,793 linked passages |
SSA · public domaindatos_gob_aribge_censoine_es_edad_mediaIRN PT
The same name elsewhere
| Country | Form | Standing | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | John | rank 23 · 8,033 in 2025 | Births in year |
| Argentina | JUAN | 192,246 registrations | Births in year |
| Brazil | JOAO | 2,984,119 bearers · born 1930–2010 | Living residents |
| Spain | JUAN | 299,120 bearers · mean age 50.7 | Living residents |
| Portugal | João | permitted | IRN approved list |
Two different questions are shown here. Rows marked births in year count children registered during a period; rows marked living residents count people of every age alive at a census. They answer different questions and are never added together.
SSA · public domainBirths in year
Using it today
Roughly 1 child in every 9 classes of 25.
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 8,033 | Steady |
| All-time total | 5,204,377 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 88,527 in 1947 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
Computed · A2/A3Rationale generated
Names connected to this one
- James co-occurrence Appears with James in Mark 1.
- Mark co-occurrence Appears with Mark in Acts 12.
- Zebedee co-occurrence Appears with Zebedee in Matthew 10.
- Andrew co-occurrence Appears with Andrew in Acts 1.
- Peter co-occurrence Appears with Peter in Acts 3.
- Philip co-occurrence Appears with Philip in Mark 6.
- Luke co-occurrence Appears with Luke in Philemon 1.
- Mary co-occurrence Appears with Mary in Acts 12.
Origin & meaning
Strong's number
G2491I
Greek
Ἰωάννης
Transliteration
Iōannēs
Ἰωάνης (Rec. ννης, which see; cf. Dalman, Gr., 142; Tdf., Pr., 79; WH, App., 159; Bl., §3, 10; 10, 2), -ου, dative, -ῃ (but in Mat.11:4. Luk.7:18, 22 Rev.1:1, ει), accusative, -ην, ὁ (Heb. יוֹחָנָן, LXX: Ἰωανάν, 2Ch.23:1, al.; -ννάν, Je 47 (40):8, al., Aq.), Hellenized form of Ἰωανάν,
John ( I Est.8:38(41)*), viz.,
__1. John the Baptist: Mat.3:1, al.
__2. John the Apostle, son of Zebedee: Mat.4:21, Mrk.1:19, Luk.5:10, Act.1:13, al.
__3. The father of St. Peter: Jhn.1:43 21:15-17.
__4. John surnamed Mark: Act.12:12, 25 13:5, 13 15:37.
__5. The writer of the Apocalypse, traditionally identified with 2: Rev.1:1, 4 9.
Ἰωάννης (D, Ἰωνάθας; see MM, Exp., XV; Bl., §10, 2), ὁ,
John: Act.4:6 13:5, Tr., WH, Rev.22:8 (cf. Ἰωάνης).†
(AS)
John, a member of the high priest's family, was present during Peter and John's questioning before the Sanhedrin.
The biblical story
John is mentioned briefly in Act.4.6 as a member of the high priest's family. He was present when Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, after healing a lame man and preaching in the temple. The Sanhedrin questioned the apostles about the power and authority by which they had performed the miracle and taught the people. John's presence, along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, Alexander, and other members of the high priest's family, underscores the significance of the event and the perceived threat the apostles' actions posed to the religious establishment. However, no further information is provided about John's specific role or his reaction to the apostles' testimony.
Key verses
John appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
Acts 4:6
Show all 1 reference
Acts (1)
- Acts 4:6
Name variants & nicknames
- Johnny — nickname
- Jack — medieval pet form
- Jon — short form
- Juan — Spanish
- João — Portuguese
- Sean — Irish form
- Ian — Scottish form
- Evan — Welsh form
- Ivan — Slavic form
- Yohanan — Hebrew form
Notable people with this name
John Lennon
Beatles co-founder and peace activist
John Wayne
Iconic American Western film actor
John Steinbeck
Nobel Prize-winning American author (The Grapes of Wrath)