Johnny is a diminutive of the name Jonathan, which has Hebrew origins and means "gift from God." The name Johnny has been popular throughout history, particularly in English-speaking countries.
The use of Johnny as a given name can be traced back to the 16th century, with notable figures such as Johnny Appleseed (born John Chapman) who helped cultivate orchards along the eastern United States during the late 18th century. However, it was not until the early 20th century that Johnny became a popular first name in its own right.
In literature and pop culture, some famous characters named Johnny include Johnny Depp's character Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean series, Johnny Bravo from the animated television series of the same name, and Johnny Lawrence from The Karate Kid film franchise. These portrayals have further popularized the name Johnny in modern times.
Despite its popularity, the name Johnny has not been among the top 1000 most popular boy names in recent years in the United States. Nevertheless, it continues to be used as a given name and nickname for boys, carrying with it the historical significance and unique charm of its Hebrew roots.
The name Johnny experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. In its early days, it was relatively uncommon with only 20 births recorded in 1880. However, it gained traction over time, reaching a peak of 799 births in 2022, with a total of 316510 Johnny births recorded between 1880 and 2023. Interestingly, the name's popularity began to decline after the mid-20th century, dropping from a high of 4438 births in 1970 to just 711 births in 2023, indicating a shift in preference for other names over time.