"dove"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Yonah
Does Yonah flow with your last name?
The Hebrew word for dove, carried by a great prophet
Hebrew
Jewish
Israeli
Spiritual
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Traditional
Classic
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Meaning & Origin
"peace, messenger"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Yonah
Yonah is the original Hebrew form of Jonah, meaning dove. The name comes directly from the Hebrew word for dove, yonah (יוֹנָה), which has been a symbol of peace and divine messenger since ancient times. In the Hebrew Bible, Yonah is the prophet who was swallowed by a great fish after trying to flee from God's command, and whose story is read on Yom Kippur.
Yonah has seen renewed interest as Jewish naming traditions experience a revival and as the related name Noah has dominated baby name charts. Parents seeking a distinctively Hebrew variant of Jonah have embraced Yonah for its authenticity and peaceful meaning.
The story of Yonah (Jonah) is central to Jewish tradition, read on Yom Kippur as a story of repentance, forgiveness, and divine compassion. The dove symbol, embedded in the name, carries profound meaning in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as a symbol of peace and the divine spirit.
Historical Record
Yonah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1974.
Over 869 babies have been named Yonah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Yonah is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,913 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The story of Jonah/Yonah is the only book of the Hebrew prophets read publicly on a Jewish holiday
- The dove has been a symbol of peace since ancient Mesopotamia, predating even the biblical story
- Yunus (the Arabic form of Yonah) is one of the 25 prophets mentioned by name in the Quran
Yonah in Other Languages
Greek
Ionas
Arabic
Yunus
Hebrew
Yonah
English
Jonah
Spanish
Jonas
Popularity Over Time
#2,913
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Yonah
Y
Yonah (prophet)
Religious
Hebrew prophet who was swallowed by a great fish and whose story is central to Yom Kippur
Y
Yonah Mishpocha
Religious
Notable name in early Jewish rabbinic literature
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Compare Yonah with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,913
- Total SSA Count
- 43
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Jewish Israeli
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Yo
Yoni
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Yonah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Yonah is also used as a girl name, ranked #11949.
View Yonah as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Yonah
What does the name Yonah mean?
"dove" (from Hebrew). "peace, messenger" (from Hebrew). Yonah is the original Hebrew form of Jonah, meaning dove. The name comes directly from the Hebrew word for dove, yonah (יוֹנָה), which has been a symbol of peace and divine messenger since ancient times. In the Hebrew Bible, Yonah is the prophet who was swallowed by a great fish after trying to flee from God's command, and whose story is read on Yom Kippur.
What is the origin of the name Yonah?
Yonah has Hebrew, Jewish, and Israeli origins. In Hebrew, it means "dove". In Hebrew, it means "peace, messenger".
Is Yonah a boy or girl name?
Yonah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2913. As a girl name, it is ranked #11949. Yonah is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Yonah?
Yonah is currently ranked #2913 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Yonah?
Common nicknames for Yonah include Yoni.
What are good middle names for Yonah?
Popular middle name pairings include Yonah David, Yonah Eli, Yonah Asher, Yonah Solomon, Yonah Ben, Yonah Lev, and Yonah Avner.
What are good sibling names for Yonah?
Names that pair well with Yonah as siblings include Noam, Avital, Tamar, Elisheva, Ariel, Tzvi, and Devorah.
How many syllables does Yonah have?
Yonah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Yonah a common or rare name?
Yonah is an uncommon name, ranked #2913 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Yonah?
About the Name Yonah
Yonah is a boy name with Hebrew, Jewish, and Israeli origins . The name means "dove" in Hebrew .
Is Yonah a boy or girl name? Yonah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,913 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #11,949. Yonah is more commonly used as a boy name.
Yonah is currently ranked #2,913 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Yonah has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Yonah include Yo and Yoni. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Yonah include Yonatan, Yonathan, Yona . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis