Zany

zany \ˈzā-nē\ noun: 1. a subordinate clown or acrobat in old comedies who mimics ludicrously the tricks of the principal, 2. a slavish follower; toady, 3 a. one who acts the buffoon to amuse others, b. nut, kook
adjective: 1. being or having the characteristics of a zany, 2. fantastically or absurdly ludicrous {a zany movie}

Etymology: Italian zanni, a traditional masked clown, from Italian dialect Zanni, nickname for Italian Giovanni John

In light of the information presented here, it is a cruel joke to name one’s son John.