Johnson is a popular given name of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English personal name John which means "God is gracious." The name John has been widely used throughout history and has numerous variations including Johnson.
The name Johnson first appeared as a surname in England during the 13th century. Over time, it became common to use surnames as given names, leading to the popularity of Johnson as a first name. In some cases, Johnson may have originated as an occupational name for someone who worked as a janitor or caretaker.
Today, Johnson is a widely recognized and used given name around the world. It has been popular in various countries including the United States, where it was among the top 100 most common boy names in recent years. Some notable individuals with the first name Johnson include former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and Canadian ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky. Despite its English origins, Johnson is also used as a given name in other countries such as Sweden and Norway.
In summary, Johnson is an English name of medieval origin that means "God is gracious." It has been used as both a surname and a given name for centuries and continues to be popular today. Its meaning and history make it a strong and meaningful choice for parents looking for a classic yet distinctive name for their son.
The given statistics illustrate the frequency of the name Johnson among newborns in the United States over several years. Here's a breakdown:
* In 1917 and 1977, there were 6 babies named Johnson each year.
* In 1986 and 1987, there were 5 babies named Johnson each year.
When combined, these figures show that a total of 22 newborns were named Johnson over the four-year span from 1917 to 1987. This data suggests that while the name Johnson was not exceptionally popular during this period, it still had some presence among parents choosing names for their children.