Johnston: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#10,156

among boys · ↓1,515 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Johnston

How common

1 in 244,011

boys born in 2025

Peak year

2007

18 babies

All-time total

512

#7,792 all-time among boys

First recorded

1914

in Social Security records

Johnston popularity over time

512 babies have been named Johnston since 1914, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	31	3	–	#2,362
1920s	33	3	+6%	#3,106
1930s	6	1	-82%	#3,449
1940s	13	1	+117%	#2,901
1950s	18	2	+38%	#3,179
1960s	16	2	-11%	#3,834
1970s	38	4	+137%	#3,538
1980s	56	6	+47%	#4,305
1990s	71	7	+27%	#5,314
2000s	105	11	+48%	#4,908
2010s	79	8	-25%	#7,309
2020s (to 2025)	46	8	-3%	#8,020

The story of Johnston

Johnston is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #10,156 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1914, 512 American babies have been named Johnston. Its peak came in 2007, when 18 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2000s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Johnston stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Johnston?

The median living Johnston is about 24 years old; half are between 13 and 40. An estimated 400 people named Johnston are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Johnston year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	7	#10,156
2024	9	#8,641
2023	6	#11,483
2022	10	#8,020
2021	8	#9,229
2020	6	#11,250
2019	–	–
2018	10	#7,870
2017	5	#13,173
2016	10	#7,859
2015	10	#7,755
2014	8	#9,183
2013	10	#7,795
2012	9	#8,485
2011	6	#11,506
2010	11	#7,309
2009	16	#5,686
2008	8	#9,400
2007	18	#5,101
2006	7	#10,094
2005	–	–
2004	10	#7,244
2003	10	#6,968
2002	11	#6,300
2001	10	#6,689
2000	15	#4,908
1995	11	#5,314
1990	7	#6,779
1985	8	#4,911
1980	9	#4,305
1975	10	#3,538
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	7	#3,179
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	6	#3,449
1930	–	–
1925	5	#4,571
1920	6	#4,047
1915	5	#4,105
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Johnston

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Johnston McCulley American author, creator of the character Zorro (1883–1958) 19th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Johnston, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Johnston?

The median living Johnston is about 24 years old. Half of all living Johnstons are between 13 and 40 years old.

How many people named Johnston are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Johnston are alive in the United States, based on 512 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Johnston in 2025?

Johnston ranked #10,156 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Johnston?

512 babies have been named Johnston in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Johnston most popular?

Johnston peaked in 2007, when 18 newborns received the name.

Is Johnston a boy or girl name?

Johnston is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Johnston rising or falling?

Johnston has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Johnston?

Well-known people named Johnston include Johnston McCulley (writer).

Names like Johnston

Names that sound and feel close to Johnston: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Johnston with similar names → More names starting with J →