Johnston Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The surname Johnston has Scottish origins and is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' It evolved from various forms of the name John and signifies a settlement associated with the name. The surname gained popularity in Scotland during the Middle Ages, reflecting a strong historical significance. Currently, it is seen as a traditional surname linked to Scottish heritage, with notable individuals bearing the name.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Johnston"
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɒnstən/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
The surname Johnston is derived from the given name John, which comes from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' The suffix '-ton' indicates a settlement or town.
Meaning
gracious gift of God
Language Evolution
John, Johannes, Yochanan, Johnston
Historical Usage
The surname Johnston became prominent in Scotland during the Middle Ages, particularly associated with the Johnston family in Annandale. Its usage increased with the rise of the clan system.
Variants & Derivatives
Johnstone, Johnston, Jonston
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Johnston is perceived as a traditional surname with a strong historical background, often associated with Scottish heritage.
Famous People
Samuel Johnston, David Johnston, Mindy Johnston
📊 Johnston Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Johnston Name Visualizations
✨ Johnston Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 18 peak births in 2007
Geographic Spread
Popular across 0 US states, with strongest presence in various regions
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Johnston"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Johnston"
"Johnston" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3988th of 7545 | 64 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 5874th of 6773 | 11 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4858th of 7552 | 37 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5506th of 10718 | 53 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6130th of 16616 | 101 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 7342nd of 24088 | 148 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 8947th of 23106 | 92 |
Regional Popularity of "Johnston" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Johnston" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Johnston"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Johnston" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Johnston" in the United States
Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Across generations, 'Johnston' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3988th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5874th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4858th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5506th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6130th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7342nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8947th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Johnston' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.