John is of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is gracious." It was one of the most popular boys' names in the Middle Ages due to its biblical associations. In the New Testament, John is one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles and the author of one of the four Gospels. The name has been borne by several kings of England, including King John Lackland who signed the Magna Carta in 1215. Notable figures with the name John include John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, and John Lennon, a founding member of The Beatles. In literature, John is the protagonist's name in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. Today, it remains a popular choice for boys, with its variants such as Jonathan, Johnny, Jack, and Sean being equally favored.
The name Joh experienced fluctuations in popularity from the late 1940s to the early 1990s, with a notable peak of 21 births in both 1982 and 1984.