The name John has its origins in the ancient Hebrew language and culture. It is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, which means "Yahweh is gracious" or "God is merciful." The name was popular among Jews during the Second Temple period and was later adopted by early Christians.

John is one of the most common names in the Bible, with several important figures bearing the name. The most notable is John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ, who baptized him in the River Jordan. The Gospel of John, one of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament, is traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus.

The name John gained widespread popularity in Europe due to its association with Saint John the Evangelist, the author of the Gospel of John. Several early Christian saints and martyrs also bore the name, further contributing to its widespread use throughout the Christian world.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name John can be found in the Domesday Book, a great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name was spelled as "Iohannes" in this document.

Throughout history, many notable figures have borne the name John. Here are five examples:

1. John the Baptist (c. 5 BC - c. 30 AD): A Jewish preacher and a major religious figure in Christianity, Islam, and various other religions.
2. John the Apostle (c. 6 AD - c. 100 AD): One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and traditionally regarded as the author of the Gospel of John.
3. John Wycliffe (c. 1320 - 1384): An English philosopher, theologian, and seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation.
4. John Calvin (1509 - 1564): A French theologian and a prominent figure in the Protestant Reformation, known for his influential teachings on Christian theology.
5. John Locke (1632 - 1704): An English philosopher and one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers, known for his work on political philosophy, epistemology, and education.