Is Johnny still too associated with condoms as a baby nickname?

[DannY97]

Hi all. We are currently expecting baby #2, a little boy after our girl. My husband’s late grandfather was called Johnathan and we think we are likely to name him Johnathan James. I love the name James but my husband doesn’t like it as a first name.

I like the idea of him having a ‘cooler’ nickname, as Johnathan is quite formal. I’ve always liked Johnny.

My mum is really against this as says it’s the name of a condom, and my brother in his early 20s agrees. My husband and I are aware that it is an older slang term for one, but not something we’ve ever heard used. I went to school with a Johnny and it was never a concern.

What are everyone’s thoughts? And would you mind saying your age too? I’m wondering if this is an older term that’s maybe come back around, as it’s definitely not been used by any of my friends or my husband’s, although all are vaguely aware of it.

Thank you!

I know a wonderful 25 year old Johnny and condoms have actually never crossed my mind. Its a lovely name.

@DannY97 , I don't know where you've been looking but the stats for England & Wales do not show Johnathan as increasing in popularity. Jonathan has been popular since the 1950s and is a Biblical character so I recommend you use that spelling.
Jonathan - Baby name explorer
Johnathan

James is the most popular boys' middle name.

I like the names Jonathan and Johnny.

Nate is also a cool nickname for Johnathan!

I personally love Johnny as a name (love dirty dancing!) but I will be honest that the condom association did put me off using it.

I agree with this. It's such a nice name especially with a family connection. You can't get away from the association but it would have to be a very oafish person to actually go "ha ha condoms". As always when it comes to naming babies, ignore your mother!

I'm 71

I'm aware of the supposed association but can honestly say have never in real life heard it used in that way; just as with Albert I wouldn't immediately think of a cock piercing!

I am very insulted by the entire premise of this thread 😁

I'm definitely of the age where I called condoms Jonnies, but I've known a few people with the name and it's only really close friends that use it to take the piss - and if it wasn't that they'd pick something else like they did for everyone else in the group 🤷‍♀️

I'm actually more likely to think Johnny Bravo 💪

I really like Johnny and I don’t think everyone would think of the condom association

Well it’s definitely still associated (I may refer to one of my silicone food lids as my yoghurt johnny) but that said I know several boys and Men named Johnny, from 2 years old up to older adulthood and it’s fine as a name.

How about Jonathan Joseph and then Jonjo?

Maybe back in the day it was associated with condoms but not so
much these days. I would call him whatever you like it’s your child.

I have a Johnathan now only know as Johnny. Never entered my head to think that. He in his 20s now.

the reference was always American anyway, it’s not really British slang (we know it from the movies)

I don’t associate with condoms but don’t love the name, I think JJ is much nicer personally but obviously it’s up to you!

I know three Johnny’s in adulthood fairly well and a couple when I was at school. Never ever thought this and it’s never been brought up. I’m aware of the slang name of course, but I don’t think it’s very common to actually use that term, but Johnny is a pretty popular name so I don’t think it carries.

Yes this - this is why I wouldn’t go with Johnny, rather than condoms.

I don't associate it with condoms but I would say that Johnny shouldn't be spelt with an 'h' but as Jonny. Jonathan doesn't have an 'h' in the Jon section. (I know several Jonathans abbreviated Jonny and none have an 'h' in it). Love the name!

I have a young relative called Johnny and I’ve never thought of the condoms reference when speaking to him.

…… Although now you’ve mentioned it, I may think of it in future!!

This is potentially outing, but my first boyfriend was a Jonathan know exclusively as Jonny, and my second (now husband) is a John who is known as Johnny by his old school friends and family. He moved to John professionally, which is where I met him and he now goes by that mostly.

Neither ever had an issue with the condom association and it literally never crossed my mind once.

Oh, I also lived with a Jonny at university (another Jonathan). I seem to collect them 😅

I’ve never seen Jonathan spelt with an H though, and both Jonathans I knew were very vocal that there was no H in Johnny - unlike DH, who did have one. Hope all that helps!

Thank you, this is helpful. I’m definitely pushing for Jonathan and Johnny. I don’t think it matters so much if they get the spelling of his nickname ‘wrong’ as Jonny, but we are Christian and I think I would rather have the traditional spelling, even if just to avoid confusion throughout his life!

I'm in my 30s and while I'm aware in the back of my mind that "Johnny" can be used to be mean a condom, I never actually hear anyone in my circle of friends/acquaintances use it that way, nor do I hear it much from the media.

To me Johnny is just a name and I wouldn't think anything of it.

John, Johnathon, Jonathon, Johnny - all great choices.

No

I'd spell it Jonathan, rather than Johnathan - but Jonny is a great name :)

If you are in England or Wales you don’t need documentation. Just go on Freebmd ( Free births, marriages and deaths) and press search.

Johnny: The most traditional spelling, derived directly from the name John (of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is gracious"). It remains the overwhelmingly popular and classic choice worldwide.
Jonny: Generally shorter for Jonathan. Because there is no "h" in Jonathan, omitting it from the nickname provides a cleaner, phonetic spelling of the root name.

From AI!