Data-driven popularity statistics, SSA rankings, and historical trends for the name John.
National Rank (2025)
#23
All-Time Peak Rank
#1 (1880)
Total U.S. Births
5,182,633
Unisex Distribution99.6% Boy / 0.4% GirlBalance: Overwhelmingly Male
💡 The John Vibe: This choice is considered a Perennial Favorite. A historic staple that has maintained dominant national popularity for over half a century.
📖 The Story Behind John
According to SSA data, John achieved its highest historical rank of #1 in 1880. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 1947 with 88,324 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 23.0%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 146 consecutive years.
📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)
Watch how the absolute registration footprint of the name John scaled historically over the last century:
5-Year Trajectory Velocity
Stable
10-Year Decadal Shift Change
-23.0% Decline
18801920196020002025
📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility
Busiest Year on Record88,324Births in 1947
Years in Top 100
146yrs
Registry Appearance Streak
146Years
Historical VolatilityVery Stable
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s:89,949
1890s:80,664
1900s:84,590
1910s:376,311
1920s:564,052
1930s:487,950
1940s:711,614
1950s:797,922
1960s:713,394
1970s:402,612
1980s:321,150
1990s:240,151
2000s:161,104
2010s:102,800
2020s:48,370
📐 Sound & Spelling Structure
Phonetic SyllablesJohn
Letter Count4 Letters
Spelling ComplexityEasy
Linguistic Profile Narrative: It is an isogram, meaning no two letters are repeated. Longer than 1.4% of SSA names. Starts with J, a letter used by only 7.8% of SSA names.
🛠️ Rhythm & Cadence Engine
Need a middle name or matching choice that pairs cleanly with John? Enter a surname or older sibling name below to test structural meter and syllable cohesion:
BabyNameAnalytics