Find out how popular the first name Jon has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jon by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jon is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Jon being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 253 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Jon.

The history of the first name Jon

The name Jon has its roots in the Hebrew language and is a shortened form of the name Jonathan, which means "gift of God" or "God has given." It is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century.

The name Jon was initially popular in England and other parts of the British Isles, where it was a common name among the Anglo-Saxons. It later spread to other parts of Europe and became widely used in various cultures and languages.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jon can be found in the Bible, in the Book of Judges, where a character named Jon (or Jonathan) is mentioned. However, the name gained wider recognition and popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly in England.

Some notable historical figures who bore the name Jon include Jon Gower (c. 1330-1408), a Welsh poet and one of the most significant literary figures of the Middle Ages. Another famous Jon was Jon Donne (1572-1631), an English poet, scholar, and cleric who is considered one of the greatest metaphysical poets of his time.

In the 18th century, Jon Swift (1667-1745), an Anglo-Irish satirist and author, is best known for his works such as "Gulliver's Travels" and "A Modest Proposal." His biting satire and commentary on society and politics have made him a prominent figure in English literature.

Moving forward, Jon Hancock (1737-1793) was an American revolutionary and statesman who served as the first and third President of the Continental Congress during the American Revolutionary War. His famous signature on the Declaration of Independence has become an iconic symbol of American independence.

In the 20th century, Jon Steinbeck (1902-1968) was an American author who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962. His works, such as "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men," are considered classics of American literature and have had a profound impact on the literary world.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Jon was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jon, please contact us.

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