Johnson
Boy name · #3382 in 2025 · Very rare
How old is the name Johnson? In official American birth records, Johnson has been tracked continuously since 1880, giving it 145 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 34 baby boys were named Johnson, placing it at #3382 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #1931, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 52,941 boys born in 2025 was named Johnson.
The 145-year story
Johnson first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 13 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2000, when 111 boys were named Johnson — good for #1214 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Babies named Johnson per year. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Johnson against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Johnson in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Johnson is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "very rare". A high score means genuine rarity — your Johnson will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Johnson is most common
State-level data for Johnson is too sparse in 2025 to rank by rate — in most states its count falls below the SSA's per-state reporting threshold (counts under 5 are withheld).
Names like Johnson
Statistically, parents drawn to Johnson tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Robinson, Sampson, Addison, Kelson, and Davidson.
RobinsonSampsonAddisonKelsonDavidsonGarrisonJaronBritton
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Johnson | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 34 | #3379 |
| 2024 | 32 | #3524 |
| 2023 | 48 | #2693 |
| 2022 | 49 | #2675 |
| 2021 | 46 | #2732 |
| 2020 | 62 | #2212 |
| 2019 | 59 | #2310 |
| 2018 | 55 | #2385 |
| 2017 | 61 | #2186 |
| 2016 | 72 | #1991 |
| 2015 | 75 | #1931 |
| 2014 | 61 | #2205 |
| 2013 | 62 | #2139 |
| 2012 | 64 | #2104 |
| 2011 | 72 | #1927 |
| 2010 | 60 | #2187 |
| 2009 | 85 | #1774 |
| 2008 | 71 | #1981 |
| 2007 | 95 | #1621 |
| 2006 | 94 | #1562 |
| 2005 | 78 | #1711 |
| 2004 | 87 | #1530 |
| 2003 | 97 | #1381 |
| 2002 | 79 | #1557 |
| 2001 | 82 | #1481 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Johnson?
In official American birth records, the name Johnson first appeared in 1880 (over 145 years ago), when 13 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Johnson a popular boy name?
Johnson ranked #3382 among boys in 2025 with 34 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #1931.
When was the name Johnson most popular?
Johnson peaked in 2000, when 111 American boys received the name (ranked #1214 that year). Since 2000 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Johnson?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 52,941 newborn American boys was named Johnson. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "very rare".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.