John means the LORD is gracious, and the name is borne by two of the greatest figures in the New Testament. John the Baptist was the forerunner, preparing the way and pointing to Jesus — behold the Lamb of God. John the apostle was the disciple whom Jesus loved, who leaned on him at the last supper, stood at the cross, and wrote the fourth Gospel, three letters, and Revelation.
It was John who gave us the sentence the whole Bible hangs on — God so loved the world — and who summed up the faith in three words: God is love.
John is one of the most enduring names in the English language — timeless, warm, and beloved for centuries.
Variants & nicknames
Jon, Johnny, Jack, Johan, Ian, Sean
John in the Bible
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.