"dove"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Arabic
Younes
Pronunciation: [ y-UHNZ ]
Does Younes flow with your last name?
The prophetic name of patience — dove of the Quran
Arabic
Moroccan
Algerian
French
Turkish
Persian
Classic
Spiritual
Traditional
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Younes
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Younes
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"prophet swallowed by a whale (Quranic narrative)"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Younes
See all →What the Younes report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Younes the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Younes
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Younes head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Younes actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Younes
Younes is the Arabic and North African form of the Hebrew name Jonah (Yonah), meaning 'dove.' In the Quran, the prophet Yunus (Jonah) is given an entire chapter (Surah Yunus), and his story of being swallowed by a great fish and emerging renewed is one of the most recognized in both Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions. The name carries centuries of prophetic reverence across three Abrahamic faiths.
Younes is especially popular in Morocco, Algeria, and among North African diaspora communities in France and Belgium. The French spelling 'Younes' (versus the Arabic 'Yunus') reflects adaptation to Western alphabets while preserving the name's heritage.
As the name of a Quranic prophet, Younes/Yunus carries deep religious significance in Islamic culture. Parents choosing this name often do so in honor of the prophet's qualities of patience, faith, and resilience. The name appears in the Quran 4 times.
Historical Record
Younes first appeared in US Social Security records in 1999.
Over 577 babies have been named Younes in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Younes is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,169 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Surah Yunus (Chapter 10 of the Quran) is named after this prophet
- The name Jonah/Yunus appears in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic scripture
- Younes Kaboul is a well-known French-Algerian footballer who bore this name on the world stage
Younes in Other Languages
Arabic
يونس
French
Younes
Hebrew
יוֹנָה (Yonah)
Persian
یونس
Turkish
Yunus
Popularity Over Time
#2,169
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Younes
Y
Younes Bendjima
Other
1993
Algerian-American model known for high-profile relationships in the entertainment world
Y
Younes Kaboul
Athlete
1986
French-Algerian professional footballer who played for Tottenham Hotspur and the French national team
Y
Yunus (Prophet)
Religious
Prophet in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism — the biblical Jonah, known for surviving in the belly of a great fish
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Kanaan
Boy
"merchant; trader"
#2,195
Marquise
Boy
"lord of the marches, march warden"
#2,339
Sameer
Boy
"entertaining companion, engaging conversationalist"
#2,099
Layth
Boy
"lion"
#2,316
Jibreel
Boy
"God is my strength, strong man of God"
#2,364
Compare Younes with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,169
- Total SSA Count
- 67
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Moroccan Algerian French Turkish Persian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
You
Nes
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, French heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, classic style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, classic style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, classic style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Younes
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Younes fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Younes →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Younes with...
Same Origin Names (Arabic)
See all Arabic names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Younes
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Younes and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Younes sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Kanaan
Boy
Semitic/Phoenician origin
"merchant; trader"
#2,195 in US
Marquise
Boy
Medieval Latin origin
"lord of the marches, march warden"
#2,339 in US
Sameer
Boy
Arabic origin
"entertaining companion, engaging conv..."
#2,099 in US
Layth
Boy
Arabic origin
"lion"
#2,316 in US
Jibreel
Boy
Hebrew via Arabic origin
"God is my strength, strong man of God"
#2,364 in US
Namir
Boy
Arabic origin
"swift, nimble"
#2,032 in US
Ayoub
Boy
Hebrew Iyyov origin
"patient, persecuted"
#2,299 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Younes's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Younes
What does the name Younes mean?
"dove" (from Hebrew). "prophet swallowed by a whale (Quranic narrative)" (from Arabic). Younes is the Arabic and North African form of the Hebrew name Jonah (Yonah), meaning 'dove.' In the Quran, the prophet Yunus (Jonah) is given an entire chapter (Surah Yunus), and his story of being swallowed by a great fish and emerging renewed is one of the most recognized in both Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions. The name carries centuries of prophetic reverence across three Abrahamic faiths.
What is the origin of the name Younes?
Younes has Hebrew, Arabic, Moroccan, Algerian, French, Turkish, and Persian origins. In Hebrew, it means "dove". In Arabic, it means "prophet swallowed by a whale (Quranic narrative)".
Is Younes a boy or girl name?
Younes is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Younes?
Younes is pronounced y-UHNZ.
How popular is the name Younes?
Younes is currently ranked #2169 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Younes?
Common nicknames for Younes include You and Nes.
What are good middle names for Younes?
Popular middle name pairings include Younes Ali, Younes Hassan, Younes Omar, Younes Karim, Younes Samir, and Younes Malik.
What are good sibling names for Younes?
Names that pair well with Younes as siblings include Youssef, Imran, Amina, Fatima, Ibrahim, and Layla.
How many syllables does Younes have?
Younes has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Younes a common or rare name?
Younes is an uncommon name, ranked #2169 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Younes?
Are there other spellings for Younes?
Related spellings include Younis.
About the Name Younes
Younes is a boy name with Arabic, Moroccan, Algerian, French, Turkish, and Persian origins . The name means "dove" in Hebrew .
Younes is currently ranked #2,169 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Younes has 2 syllables and is pronounced y-UHNZ, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Younes include You and Nes. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Younes include Younis . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
Y
Names Starting with Y
More boy names like Younes
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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