Meaning & History
Johnnie is a diminutive of John, sometimes used as a feminine form. The name John ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Yoḥanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious," from the elements yo (referring to God) and ḥanan ("to be gracious"). In the Old Testament, it appears as Johanan or Jehohanan, but its widespread use stems from two New Testament figures: John the Baptist and John the Apostle. The name flourished in England after the First Crusade, becoming the most common male name from the 13th to the 20th century.
Notable Bearers
Johnnie has been used as both a given name and nickname. Notable bearers of the variant Johnnie include Johnnie Walker, a Scottish whisky brand named after the founder John (Johnnie) Walker. In entertainment, Johnnie Taylor was an American singer, and Johnnie Cochran was a prominent lawyer. Among those named Johnny — a related form widely associated with the name — are musician Johnny Cash, actor Johnny Depp, and baseball legend Johnny Bench.
On screen, the fictional character Johnny (or Johnnie) appears in films such as Johnny Got His Gun and The Shining. The name also inspired the related forms Johnny and Johnney, and is sometimes used as a feminine name, though less commonly.
- Meaning: Yahweh is gracious
- Type: Diminutive of John
- Usage: English-speaking countries
- Gender: Unisex (often masculine)
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Johnny