National Jon Day

History of National Jon Day

The earliest mention of Jonathan is in the Old Testament of the Hebrew Bible. Jonathan was the oldest son of King Saul, the first king of Israel, who ruled around the 11th century B.C. A skilled archer known for his courage, strength, and swiftness, Jonathan is one of the Old Testament’s most notable heroes and warriors.

His conflict with his father and his close friendship with David are prevalent themes in “1 Samuel.” Jonathan refused to kill David despite receiving orders from King Saul, and in their final meeting, both men made a covenant with God before going their separate ways. In keeping with his heroic warrior archetype, Jonathan died in the battle of Mount Gilboa alongside his father and brothers. The Roman Catholic Church venerates him as a saint and has a feast in his honor on December 29.

American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor John Francis Bongiovi Jr., better known as Jon Bon Jovi, was born on March 2, 1962, in the U.S. The founder of the band Bon Jovi, Jon was raised by two former Marines in New Jersey. Jon played in his first band at the age of 13 and made his first professional recording of “Christmas in the Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album” at his cousin’s studio in 1980. By 1986, he achieved worldwide recognition with his band, thanks to their third album “Slippery When Wet.”

National Jon Day timeline

1000 B.C.

The First Jon

Jonathan is born to the Hebrew King Saul.

1976

The Owner of Garfield

Jon Arbuckle, the owner of everyone’s favorite lazy cat Garfield, gets introduced to the world in his comic strip “Jon.”

1984

The Bon Jovi’s Debut

The band Bon Jovi begins its career with its first album “Bon Jovi.”

2007

The Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Jon Hamm makes his first appearance as Donald Draper in the AMC series “Mad Men.”

National Jon Day FAQs

When is National Jon Day?

National Jon Day 2026 falls on Friday, December 11. It’s a fixed annual observance, making it easy to mark on your calendar and plan celebrations.

How many people are named Jon or Jonathan?

Approximately 380,000 people in the U.S. are named Jonathan, with many using the shortened form ‘Jon.’ This makes it a fairly common and recognizable name across the country.

What is the origin of the name Jon?

The name Jon is a short form of Jonathan, which has Hebrew origins from ‘Yonatan,’ meaning ‘gift of God.’ It was introduced to the U.S. around 1880 and has remained a popular choice ever since.

Is Jon short for Jonathan?

Yes, Jon is most commonly a diminutive or short form of the name Jonathan. While some individuals may be officially named Jon, it frequently serves as a nickname for Jonathan.

National Jon Day Activities

Listen to Bon Jovi

Did you know that Bon Jovi has sold over 130 million albums worldwide? They’re one of the best-selling American bands of all time. You have to listen to these rock and roll legends on National Jon Day.

Watch a show

Check out Jon Hamm’s “Mad Men” or “A Young Doctor’s Notebook.” If you’re in the mood for some sci-fi fantasy, watch Jon Favreau’s “The Mandalorian.”

Say it with jewelry

Consider getting a letter bead bracelet with your name on it. You can even make one with a unique design.

5 Fun Facts About Jon

The gift that runs in the family

Jon Bon Jovi’s great-uncle was Frank Sinatra.

The son and the father

Jonathan Kent is the given name of Superman’s adoptive father and his only son.

No more smoking for me

Jon Hamm, who plays the chain-smoking Don Draper in the television series “Mad Men,” quit smoking at 24 and used herbal cigarettes throughout the show's filming.