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Original poster

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

59 replies

DannY97 · 21/06/2026 17:51

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!

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CheeseWisely · 21/06/2026 20:42

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?

Firebird83 · 21/06/2026 20:41

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

MCF86 · 21/06/2026 20:39

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 💪

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 21/06/2026 20:38

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

Westfacing · 21/06/2026 20:31

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!

LivingTheDreamish · 21/06/2026 20:11

LooksLikeIPickedTheWrongWeekToQuitDrinking · 21/06/2026 18:52

I’m 57, so peak age for the condom association, but… despite using ‘Johnny’ to mean condom, folk my age didn’t blink at actual people called John or Johnny.
Johnny Ball, Johnny Morris, Johnny Marr… there were no jokes or teasing.

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!

Reptarr · 21/06/2026 19:25

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.

NamingNoNames · 21/06/2026 19:20

@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.

StephenKingIsScaredOfMe · 21/06/2026 19:17

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

Original poster
DannY97 · 21/06/2026 19:12

greglet · 21/06/2026 18:58

I don’t think the condom association would immediately occur to most people - certainly not to the point it would colour their view of the name!

Being pedantic, though, I would say that Johnny is ‘short’ for John and Jonny or Jonty is short for Jonathan.

I’m not keen on Johnathan as it feels like a bastardisation. The two names have different etymologies: Jonathan means ‘God has given’ in Hebrew, whereas John comes from Jochanan, meaning ‘God is gracious’.

This is how I feel about Johnathan, it feels a bit…awkward I suppose? But I’m not awfully offended by it, which is unusual for me as I normally am big on keeping things the traditional way. It will all come down to how my husband’s grandfather had it spelt I think. But I’m pretty determined for it to be Johnny rather than Jonny, as it suits our surname better in my opinion.

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Icanseeasquirrel · 21/06/2026 18:59

Best name in the world. I have a brilliant John who is often Johnny

greglet · 21/06/2026 18:58

I don’t think the condom association would immediately occur to most people - certainly not to the point it would colour their view of the name!

Being pedantic, though, I would say that Johnny is ‘short’ for John and Jonny or Jonty is short for Jonathan.

I’m not keen on Johnathan as it feels like a bastardisation. The two names have different etymologies: Jonathan means ‘God has given’ in Hebrew, whereas John comes from Jochanan, meaning ‘God is gracious’.

Snorlaxo · 21/06/2026 18:54

Just asked my teen and it makes him think of Depp then The Shining which is fine. Pirates of The Caribbean is still popular

LooksLikeIPickedTheWrongWeekToQuitDrinking · 21/06/2026 18:52

I’m 57, so peak age for the condom association, but… despite using ‘Johnny’ to mean condom, folk my age didn’t blink at actual people called John or Johnny.
Johnny Ball, Johnny Morris, Johnny Marr… there were no jokes or teasing.

shouldntbeonhereagain · 21/06/2026 18:47

We have a fourth child (third boy) called Johnny. He is christened John. I was stuck for boys names as we used 6 up on the first two boys! ... but, am now so glad we went with it; it feels just right (weirdly enough it's super unusual now!) If you like it, go with your gut. Names are so personal and so important. Congratulations btw.

Original poster
DannY97 · 21/06/2026 18:43

Just to say I do also know that we don’t need their approval or permission, but it’s a real worry for my mum and she’s not known for keeping her opinions to herself… so it will all just be a lot easier if I can prove that people aren’t making that association!

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Original poster
DannY97 · 21/06/2026 18:42

Thank you for all these opinions, they’re so helpful in reassuring me. Please keep them coming as the more mumsnet backing I have, the more I can prove to my family 😂

OP posts:
TerfOnATrain · 21/06/2026 18:40

DS’s life long friend is called Jonathan, he has been forever known as Jonny, with everyone except his mother, condom reference has never been mentioned. They are currently early 30s.

Original poster
DannY97 · 21/06/2026 18:40

So I’ve just been looking it up, and apparently Jonathan is traditionally spelt without a h, but Johnathan has become more popular due to the separate names John and Johnny being spelt with a h.

personally I think I prefer Jonathan, with a nickname of Johnny. My husband is 90% sure his grandad was a Johnathan, but we’re now trying to find some documentation to make sure.

I’d had my daughter’s name picked out since I was about 15 and my husband happened to love it, so we didn’t have this problem!

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 21/06/2026 18:37

My brother (early 40s) is a Jonathan who is called Johnny by everyone. I don’t think anyone has ever made the condom association

AbsoluteHoot · 21/06/2026 18:37

I like it. I don’t think anyone under the age of 50 would make the condom association.

tinyviolinforme · 21/06/2026 18:35

I prefer without the h, but definitely don’t think of condoms really.

user293948849167 · 21/06/2026 18:25

I do associate it with a slang word for condoms but also if I met someone called Johnny I wouldn’t think “haha your name means condom” either!
I think it’s fine, although prefer Jon as a nickname

Excellentsausages · 21/06/2026 18:23

Daffodilsinthespring · 21/06/2026 17:57

It’s fine nowdays. I prefer Jonty as a shortening but Jonathan is a lovely name. It’s unusual to have an h in it though.

Agree with all of this.

bolognazey · 21/06/2026 18:12

I don’t think of condoms but do think of ‘heeeere’s Johnny’ line from The Shining.