John - Definition and Overview

John Major, PM of the U.K. 1990-1997

John is a common name for males. See John (name)

In a Christian context the name typically refers to one of the following:

• Gospel of John
• John the Baptist
• John the Apostle, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.
• John the Evangelist, to whom the Gospel of John is attributed, often along with 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation. He was traditionally identified with the apostle, but today most scholars doubt this identification.

There are a great many other historical Johns, only a few of whom include:

Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom

• John Major (1943-) Conservative PM 1990-1997
• The Lord John Russell (1792-1878) Whig PM 1846-1852

Presidents of the United States

• John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) Democratic 1961-1963

Kings and Emperors

• King John of England
• King John I of Castile
• King John II of Castile
• King John I of Scotland
• King John I of Portugal
• King John II of Portugal
• King John III of Portugal
• King John IV of Portugal
• King John V of Portugal
• King John VI of Portugal
• Emperor John I Tzimisces
• Emperor John II Comnenus
• King John I of France
• King John II of France
• King John I of Jerusalem
• King John II of Jerusalem (also John I of Cyprus)
• King John II of Cyprus

Popes

• Pope John I
• Pope John II
• Pope John III
• Pope John IV
• Pope John V
• Pope John VI
• Pope John VII
• Pope John VIII
• Pope John IX
• Pope John X
• Pope John XI
• Pope John XII
• Pope John XIII
• Pope John XIV
• Pope John XV
• Pope John XVI (antipope)
• Pope John XVII
• Pope John XVIII
• Pope John XIX
• Pope John XX (never actually existed)
• Pope John XXI
• Pope John XXII
• Pope John XXIII

Antipopes

• Antipope John
• Antipope John XVI (see above)
• Antipope John XXIII

Saints

In addition to John the Apostle, John the Evangelist, John the Baptist, and Pope John I, listed above, there are also the following Saint Johns:

• Saint John Chrysostom
• Saint John of Damascus
• John Baptist de la Salle

Other Johns

• Elton John
• Olivia Newton-John

The john is also a nickname for the toilet, perhaps after the name of Sir John Harington who invented it.