Origin, Meaning, And History Of Jonas
The name Jonas derives from Hebrew and means “dove.” It is primarily used as a first name, but it can also be used as a surname. According to its Greek origin, the name is derived from Jonah, a prophet from the Old Testament Book of Jonah, who was swallowed by a fish. God commanded Jonah to preach in Nineveh, but he fled by boat. When the ship was caught in a storm, the other sailors had thrown Jonah overboard, and he was swallowed. Three days later, he emerged from the fish alive and repented.
Jonas is also the Lithuanian variant of John, meaning “God is gracious.” The latter appears in the Old Testament (spelled Johanan or Jehohanan in the English version), but the popularity of this name can be attributed to two New Testament characters, both of whom are highly regarded saints. The first is John the Baptist, a Jewish ascetic regarded as Jesus’ forerunner. The second is the apostle John, who is widely considered to be the author of the fourth gospel and the Book of Revelation.
The name Jonas has been used in a variety of cultures and languages, including Greek, Scandinavian, and German. It is often used as a surname by Jews but as a first name by Christians, particularly in Scandinavia and Germany.
The common variations of the name Jonas include Yunus in Arabic, Ionas in Biblical Greek, Iona and Ionas in Biblical Latin, Jonáš in Czech, Joona and Joonas in Finnish, Iona in Georgian, Jónás in Hungarian, Younes in Persian, Iona in Russian, Jonás in Spanish, Yunus in Turkish, and Younus in Urdu.
Joe, Jay, Jojo, Jonny, Jona, Joss, and Nas are a few nicknames for the name Jonas.
There are various fictional characters with the name Jonas. Eldred Jonas is a character from the novel Wizard and Glass, where he is the main antagonist. Jonas Blane is the lead character in the American television show The Unit. Jonas Grumby is the skipper from the television sitcom Gilligan’s Island. Jonas Miller is the main antagonist in the movie Twister.
Jonas
Boy
Christianity, Greek
Hebrew
5
Two
1 word, 5 letters, 2 vowels, 3 consonants
Short and easy to pronounce
How To Pronounce Jonas?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Jonas in English.
Famous People With The Name Jonas
- William Jonas ArmstrongAn Irish actor famous for playing the title role in the drama series Robin Hood
- Jonas Kaufmann German opera singer, well-known for the versatility of his repertoire
- Jonas MekasLithuanian filmmaker, known as the godfather of American avant-garde cinema and receiver of the International Documentary Film Association Award (1997)
- Jonas brothers American pop rock band of three brothers: Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas
- Jonas Salk American virologist who developed one of the first polio vaccines
Jonas On The Popularity Chart
In the United States, the name Jonas was most popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but it has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
Popularity Over Time
The popularity of the name Jonas has increased steadily after 1992 and peaked in 2008 with 1255 babies per million bearing it.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
According to the Social Security Administration, the name Jonas ranked the highest in 1983 at 12,577th but has been declining since then with the lowest 2007.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Jonas
If you find the sound of Jonas appealing, you may also like the following names that have a similar sound.
Popular Sibling Names For Jonas
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Jonas, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Jonas
Find matching brother names for Jonas and create a wonderful team of siblings.
JancisJanesvara Janez Janis Janison Janistha Jannes Jannis Janos Jans Girl Sibling Names For Jonas
Looking for some suitable sister names for Jonas? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
JaneesaJanesa Janicia Janiece Janisa Janise Jansje Janyce Jeanice Jeanus Other Popular Names Beginning With J
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter J to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Name Numerology For Jonas
If you liked the meaning of the name Jonas but are open to exploring other options, you might be interested in these names with similar meanings.
Infographic: Know The Name Jonas‘s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name Jonas In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
jonas
In Sign Language
jonas
In Braille Alphabet
jonas
In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Jonas
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Jonas?
The name Jonas means ‘Dove.’
2. What is the origin of the name Jonas?
Jonas has a Hebrew origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Jonas?
Jonas is pronounced as jo-nas.
4. What are some middle name options that go well with Jonas?
The name Jonas has a beautiful meaning as it signifies “dove.” If you’re looking for middle names with similar meanings, you could consider options like Colum or Jonah. It’s worth noting that “dove” is a one-syllable word, so you might also explore other one-syllable names of Hebrew origin, such as Noam, Dov, or Shir. Additionally, if you like rhyming names, you could explore choices like Hadas or Pinhas.
5. What are some nicknames for the name Jonas?
The cute and endearing nicknames for Jonas include Jon, Jonukas, Joni, Jonny, Joe, Jo, Jojo, Nas, and Jones.
6. Is Jonas a trendy or timeless baby name?
Jonas is a baby name that combines both trendy and timeless qualities. It is derived from the name John, which has Hebrew origins and a rich historical background. While it has been used for generations, its popularity has seen a surge in recent times, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, adding a trendy element to its appeal.
7. What are the top countries where the name Jonas is popular?
The name Jonas is commonly used in countries such as the US, Germany, Lithuania, France, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, Austria, Czech, England and Wales.
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