Jonas (name)

Jonas is a common male name in many Western world countries and Northeast Africa. It is primarily used as a first name, but also occurs as a surname. It is particularly frequent in Germany, Israel, Eritrea, the Netherlands, Flanders and Scandinavia. It is also the most common name in Lithuania, however, in Lithuania, the name Jonas is derived from the Hebrew Yohanan as opposed to Jonah. Its widespread use and popularity has roots in its Jewish and Christian origins. As a surname, it is often Jewish, whilst as a first name it is mostly used in countries where Christianity is the main religion, especially in Scandinavian countries and Germany. In Turkish, Arabic, Persian and the Muslim world the equivalent name is Yunus (یونس) or Yunas or Younes/Younis. In North America the name found popularity among Métis and Aboriginals in the Northwest.

Jonas
PronunciationEnglish: /ˈdʒoʊnəs/ JOH-nəs
Danish: [ˈjoːnæs]
German: [ˈjoːnas]
Lithuanian: [ˈjoːnɐs]
Portuguese: [ˈʒonɐs, ˈʒonɐʃ]
Spanish: [xoˈnas]
Swedish: [ˈjûːnas]
GenderMale
Origin
Word/nameHebrew
MeaningDove; peaceful being, accomplishing, and a gift from God
Other names
Related namesJonah, [Yonash], John, Yonah, Yunus, Jonnas, Janusz

Etymology

Jonas most often represents Hebrew יוֹנָה (Yōnā) meaning 'dove', the name of multiple Biblical figures. The form Jonah is taken directly from Hebrew, while the form with s is adapted through Greek.

Greek Ίωνας (Ionas) may also mean "Ionian", a member of the Greek tribe Ιωνες Iones who colonized western Asia.

Notable people with the given name Jonas

Notable people with the surname Jonas

Fictional characters

Male variants

Contemporary use of the name Jonas
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