Johnny
Johnny first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 1947, when 7,441 boys were given the name; in 2025 there were 682.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Johnny popular?
Declining Johnny is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1947 peak.
| 2020s | 4,398 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 11,259 | |
| 2000s | 14,321 | |
| 1990s | 18,488 | |
| 1980s | 23,503 | |
| 1970s | 32,024 | |
| 1960s | 49,843 | |
| 1950s | 65,786 | |
| 1940s | 57,200 | |
| 1930s | 24,596 | |
| 1920s | 11,342 | |
| 1910s | 3,834 | |
| 1900s | 814 | |
| 1890s | 316 | |
| 1880s | 194 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Johnny mean?
Johnny is a pet form of John, from the Hebrew “Yahweh is gracious.” It became a name in its own right, from Johnny Appleseed to Johnny Cash.
Variants & spellings
- Johnnie
- Jonny
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Johnny a boy or a girl name?
Johnny is most commonly used as a boy name.
Is Johnny a popular name right now?
Johnny is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1947 peak.
How popular is the name Johnny?
In 2025, Johnny ranked #458 among boys’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Johnny most popular?
Johnny was most popular in 1947, when about 7,441 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.