Jon is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the biblical name Jonathan, which means "gift of God" or "given by God." The name Jonathan appears in the Old Testament of the Bible as the son of King Saul and the close friend of David, who later became king himself.
The shortened form Jon has been used as an independent given name since the 19th century. It is a simple yet appealing choice for parents looking for a classic yet modern-sounding name for their child.
In terms of popularity, Jon peaked in the mid-20th century and has since seen a decline in usage. However, it remains a solid and timeless option for parents who want to give their child a strong, masculine name with a rich history behind it.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Jon, including American jazz musician Jon Hendricks, British footballer Jonathan "Jon"ny Evans, and American actor Jon Favreau. These figures have helped to contribute to the name's lasting appeal and recognition.
The name Jon experienced significant growth in popularity between the late 19th century and the early-to-mid 20th century. Starting with just five births per year around the turn of the century, the number of newborns named Jon peaked at over 4,000 per year in the mid-1960s, before gradually decreasing to around 300 annually by the late 2010s.