"But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John."
Biblical Name · Hebrew (Yohanan) Origin
John Meaning in the Bible
John
boy
John comes from Hebrew Yohanan and means “the LORD is gracious.” The KJV gives the name to both John the Baptist, who prepared Christ’s way, and John the apostle.
Is John in the Bible?
Yes — John appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 1:13.
Pronunciation:/JON/
What does John mean?
John is a boy name of Hebrew (Yohanan) origin meaning "God is gracious". John comes from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious" or "God has shown favor." It is one of the most enduring names in Christian history, carried by two of the most important figures in the New Testament.
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What does John mean in the Bible?
John means "God is gracious" and is a name of Hebrew (Yohanan) origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
John comes from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious" or "God has shown favor." It is one of the most enduring names in Christian history, carried by two of the most important figures in the New Testament.
John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ, called to prepare the way for the Messiah. His bold preaching of repentance and his baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River mark pivotal moments in the Gospels. John the Apostle, known as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," authored the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation.
The name John has been borne by countless saints, popes, and leaders throughout church history, making it one of the most popular Christian names across all cultures and centuries.
Where does John appear in the Bible (KJV)?
John is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Luke 1:13. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved."
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What are the variants and nicknames of John?
John has 8 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Common nicknames
Ian
Who was John in the Bible?
John is most closely associated with the Bible character of the same name. Their story is the reason the name carries the weight it does.
Read About John in the BibleWhich books of the Bible mention John?
John is mentioned across 6 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of John?
The name John declares that God is gracious — a truth at the very heart of the Gospel. It reminds us that salvation is not earned but freely given through God's unmerited favor.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name John:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
Related Reading
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Hebrews 13:8 — Meaning & Devotional
God's Faithfulness
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Hebrews 4:16 — Meaning & Devotional
Grace
Commentary
Hebrews 4:16 Commentary
In-depth study • Prayer & Grace
Word Meaning
Grace (Chen) (חֵן (chen))
Favor, charm, and gracious acceptance — finding kindness in another's eyes.
Strong's
Strong's H2580 — Grace (Chen)
חֵן (chen) • Favor, charm, and gracious acceptance — finding kindness in another's eyes.
Commentary
Hebrews 13:8 Commentary
In-depth study • The Unchanging Christ
What names are related to John?
Names that pair well with John
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of John
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
John name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — John appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 1:13.
John means "God is gracious." It is a Hebrew (Yohanan) name. The King James Bible uses it in Luke 1:13, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew (Yohanan). John comes into English from Hebrew (Yohanan) and carries the sense "God is gracious." It appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 1:13.
Common questions about the name John
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name John?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for John?
You can read every verse where John appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.