Johnson Name Origin
Johnson comes from English and Scottish roots. It means "son of John." John was a very popular first name in these countries long ago.
People added "son" to a father's name to show family connection. So, Johnson means a boy whose dad was named John.
This way of making last names started in the Middle Ages. It helped tell people apart when many shared the same first name.
Over time, Johnson became a common family name passed down through generations. It’s now found in many English-speaking countries.
- Type: First Name
- Gender: Male
- Pronunciation: JON-suhn
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Johnson Meaning
Johnson is a last name that means "son of John." It comes from old English and Scottish traditions where adding "son" to a father's name showed family ties.
The name John itself means "God is gracious," so Johnson carries that meaning too. It was created to show who someone's father was, especially when many people had the same first name.
Over time, Johnson became a common surname in English-speaking countries. It can symbolize family, heritage, and respect for ancestors.
History
Johnson is a last name that comes from the idea of "son of John." It started being used in England a long time ago, around the Middle Ages, when people began using family names to tell who someone belonged to.
At first, it was just a way to show that someone’s father was named John. Over time, it became a fixed family name passed down through generations. The name spread to other English-speaking countries, like the United States and Canada.
Johnson became very popular in America, especially because many immigrants from England and Scotland brought it with them. It’s one of the most common surnames in the U.S. today. The name also appears in Scotland and Ireland, sometimes with slight spelling changes.
Famous People
Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36th president of the United States. He helped pass important laws about civil rights and education during the 1960s.
Magic Johnson is a famous basketball player. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers and is known for being one of the best point guards ever.
Samuel Johnson was an English writer and dictionary maker in the 1700s. His dictionary helped shape the English language.
Jack Johnson was the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion. He became famous in the early 1900s for his skill and strength.
These Johnsons made big impacts in different areas like politics, sports, writing, and history.
Name Trends
This chart shows how many babies were given the name Johnson each year, based on data from the U.S. Government's Social Security Administration (SSA). It's a fun way to see how the name's popularity has changed over time!
The blue line shows how many boys were named Johnson, while the pink line shows how many girls were given the same name.
If the lines go up, that means more babies got the name that year. If they go down, the name was used less. You can spot trends, like when the name became really popular or started to fade.