Declining since 1988, #3,379 for boys today.
Popularity of Johnson since 1880
Babies named Johnson per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2000, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Johnson's real moment was 1905.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 126 |
| 1890s | 155 |
| 1900s | 221 |
| 1910s | 522 |
| 1920s | 632 |
| 1930s | 411 |
| 1940s | 472 |
| 1950s | 365 |
| 1960s | 352 |
| 1970s | 268 |
| 1980s | 822 |
| 1990s | 884 |
| 2000s | 879 |
| 2010s | 641 |
| 2020s | 271 |
Meaning & origin
Johnson is a patronymic surname turned given name, reflecting a common American tradition of adopting family names as first names. Its peak popularity occurred in 1905, when it ranked highest among baby boys. Since 1988, its usage has been steadily falling, with a rank of 3,379 in 2025. The name is most frequently found in California and Texas, states with large populations and diverse naming trends. Johnson carries a straightforward meaning, 'son of John', and offers a familiar, sturdy feel without being overly common as a first name today.
Johnson is a patronymic surname meaning 'son of John'. John derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious'. As a given name, Johnson follows the common practice of using surnames as first names, particularly in the United States where it has been used since the 19th century.
Where Johnson is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Johnson” around the world
Where Johnson lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: John, Johnny, Jo
Sibling names for Johnson
Names that share Johnson's style, for a brother or sister.
