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William vs John

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

John

Boy #21 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"Yahweh is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Irish American Christian Jewish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#21
Total SSA Count
8,047
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Popularity Comparison

William Rank #10
John Rank #21

William is more popular, ranked #10 vs #21 for John.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is William or John more popular?

William is more popular, ranked #10 compared to John at #21 in the United States.

What do William and John mean?

William means "resolute protector, strong-willed guardian" (Germanic origin). John means "Yahweh is gracious" (Hebrew origin).

Are William and John boy or girl names?

William is primarily a boy name. John is primarily a boy name.

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