Johan is a name of Swedish origin, derived from the Old Norse name Johannes, which itself comes from the Greek name Ioannes. The Greek form is believed to be a derivative of the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." This Hebrew name is composed of two elements: 'Yah', meaning God or Lord, and 'chonan', meaning he has favored or he has been gracious.
The name Johan gained popularity in Sweden due to its Scandinavian heritage. It was often used as a variant of John, which has been a popular given name throughout Europe for centuries. The name's patron saint is Saint John the Baptist, one of Jesus Christ's cousins and his forerunner.
Historically, Johan has been borne by several notable figures. One such example is Johan Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), the renowned German composer and musician of the Baroque period. Another is Johan Christian Dahl (1788-1857), a Norwegian painter known for his landscapes.
In English-speaking countries, Johan has been used as a given name since the late 19th century but remains more common in Scandinavian countries. Its popularity may vary over time and across different cultures, but its meaning continues to reflect a sense of divine favor or grace.
The statistics provided show the number of births with the name Johan over several years in the United States. The data spans from 1928 to 2007, with a total of 135 births recorded during this period.
During the early decades covered by the statistics (from the late 1920s to the mid-1940s), the name Johan was relatively uncommon, with fewer than 9 births occurring in most years. The highest number of births for this name during this period was 9 births recorded in 1928.
There was a gap in the statistics between 1942 and 1953, after which there were only two recorded births with the name Johan in 1953. However, starting from the late 1980s, the popularity of this name began to increase again, with 8 births occurring in 1987.
The name Johan continued to be more commonly used during the early 21st century, with at least 6 births recorded every year between 2001 and 2007. The highest number of births for this name during this period was 7 births recorded in both 2001 and 2002.
Overall, while Johan may not have been one of the most popular names throughout history, it has experienced periods of greater popularity, particularly in recent years.