John vs Liam

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
Nicknames
Johnny, Jack, Jonny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for John →

Popularity Comparison

John Rank #21
Liam Rank #1

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 vs #21 for John.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

John ___

  • John Thomas
  • John Michael
  • John William
  • John Patrick
  • John Edward
  • John Henry

Liam ___

  • Liam James
  • Liam Alexander
  • Liam Thomas
  • Liam Michael
  • Liam Patrick
  • Liam Joseph

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose John

Mary James Catherine Patrick Elizabeth

If you choose Liam

Olivia Emma Noah Charlotte Sophia

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is John or Liam more popular?

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 compared to John at #21 in the United States.

What do John and Liam mean?

John means "Yahweh is gracious" (Hebrew origin). Liam means "strong-willed warrior" (Irish origin).

Are John and Liam boy or girl names?

John is primarily a boy name. Liam is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: John ← Full profile: Liam Browse all baby names