John F. Kennedy

Simply visit the "Babies Named After the President" exhibit on the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum's website to get a sense of how much JFK influenced Americans. Hundreds of handwritten letters, excited birth announcements, and deferential telegrams from excited new parents, some from as far away as Ghana, informing Kennedy that they were naming their newborns after he are on display. They convey a true, visceral sense of the love, hope, and honor bestowed upon JFK.

It's no coincidence that the name "John" peaked in popularity in the United States in 1964, with 82,541 boys given the name the year after his death. Since then, it has remained a popular name and honorific title.