Baby Boy name.?

Question

Do you think it would be too weird or common if I named my baby boy John? My father and grandfathers name is John, and my boyfriends brother's name is Jon, so we were looking at keeping that tradition alive. What do you think?

Answer 1

It is a very common name, but most of the John's out there probably wouldn't have the meaning in their name that your son would. I think it is great to give your son a name with meaning.

Answer 2

No more than Jacob, Michael, Joshua, Ethan, Matthew, etc. ;) The nickname Jack, if you'd use it, is also quite popular at the moment, but I don't see that as a reason not to use a name to honor a grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle.

That is to say, if you even WANT to honor them. You mention the "tradition" of it, and I don't think that's enough to continue passing along the same name. If you want to honor those particular people, by all means do so, but don't give him the same exact name simply because it's a common one in your family, know what I mean? Especially when, as you've said, it's common in pretty much everyone's family. ;)

If you do genuinely want to name your son for all these "Johns," you might also consider giving him another form of it rather than simply adding yet another John to the family. ;) Evan, Ian/Iain, Eoin (said like Owen), Sean, Giovanni, Ivan, Jackson ("son of Jack/John"), Jonas, etc. Here's an entire list. ;) http://www.behindthename.com/php/translate.php?terms=john&menuterm=&menuterm2=&gender=both

Also, despite some above suggestions, "Johnathan" is not a form of John at all. It's a misspelling of Jonathan, completely unrelated except that they both have "God" in their meanings (thus the similar Jo- beginnings). In fact, Nathan is more closely linked to Jonathan than John is, despite the "Jon" nickname potential. It's literally from the contracted form Yonatan ... the Yo- prefix indicating a "Yahweh" meaning, plus Natan, or Nathan. ;)

Hope that helps!

Ps. I know they're meant to be supportive, but don't believe the "John's not that common anymore" type comments. ;) It's been in the top 20 every year since the SSA began keeping searchable records! Number 1 from 1880-1923, number 2 or 3 until 1952, then fluctuated between 2 and 10 until 1987, when it finally dropped out of the top 10. It's currently number 20. Just thought the info might help.

Answer 3

John Andrew, John David

Answer 4

I think it's great to give your son a nice, traditional name. It's nice also that he will be named after people in your family. John is a nice, strong name that is cute for a little boy and manly for a man. I personally am tired of hearing all of the Aiden, Riley, Caden, Jacob names these days.

Answer 5

It's not weird at all. How thoughtful of you to honor the men in your families by naming your son after them. If you wanted to do something a little different with it, there is always calling him by two names. Example: John Mark, John Ross, John Lee, etc...you get what I'm trying to say. It just gives him a different way of identity but still naming him after a relative.

Answer 6

I think it's a common name but I also like the idea of keeping the tradition.

Answer 7

It's common but that doesn't mean your baby boy won't be unique :) Keep the name going if you and your bf like it! John is a great name.

Answer 8

It would actually be very cool and uncommon for your child's generation. He's going to be the only John in a class full of Aydens and Braedens and Kaidins. Good job on picking a classy name.

Answer 9

Don't name the baby that just to keep it a tradition. If you like the name use it.

Answer 10

I think that is a great idea. Names have meaning, and it all follows whats in your heart and your perception of the meaning. Keep traditional things. It's good having something to stand for =]