"dove"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Jonah
Pronunciation: [ j-OHN-uh ]
Does Jonah flow with your last name?
The dove who ran from God — and came back stronger
English
Jewish
Christian
American
Classic
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Literary
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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Things to Know About This Name
- 'Jonah' used as idiom for bad luck — sailors traditionally considered Jonah a bringer of misfortune, as in the biblical whale story. Largely a superstition but exists in some maritime communities.
The Story of Jonah
Jonah comes from the Hebrew Yonah (יוֹנָה), meaning dove — the bird that symbolizes peace, gentleness, and the divine. In the Hebrew Bible, Jonah is the prophet who tried to flee from God, was swallowed by a great fish for three days, and ultimately fulfilled his mission to warn the city of Nineveh. The name was used across Jewish and Christian communities for millennia and has experienced a modern revival as parents rediscovered biblical names with natural imagery.
Jonah climbed steadily in the US through the 2000s and 2010s, benefiting from the broader revival of Old Testament names (alongside Elijah, Noah, Micah, and Ezra). It entered the top 100 around 2013 and has maintained that position. Jonah Hill's Hollywood success introduced the name to a new generation outside religious contexts.
The story of Jonah and the whale is one of the most universally recognized biblical narratives, appearing in the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament (Jesus references it), and the Quran (Surah Yunus/Jonah). The name carries resonance across all three Abrahamic faiths. In maritime folklore, 'Jonah' became a term for bad luck — but this superstition is largely archaic.
Historical Record
Jonah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 81,157 babies have been named Jonah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jonah is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #126 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jonah is one of the few prophets named in all three Abrahamic holy books: the Torah, the New Testament, and the Quran
- The word 'jonah' entered English as a common noun meaning 'a person who brings bad luck', from sailors' superstitions
- Jonah Hill was born Jonah Hill Feldstein — his success made Jonah feel instantly cool and non-religious to secular American parents
Jonah in Other Languages
Greek
Ιωνάς
Arabic
يونس (Yunus)
French
Jonas
German
Jona
Hebrew
יוֹנָה (Yonah)
Italian
Giona
Spanish
Jonás
Popularity Over Time
#126
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Jonah
J
Jonah Hill
Actor
1983
American actor and filmmaker known for Superbad, Moneyball, and The Wolf of Wall Street; two-time Oscar nominee
J
Jonah Lomu
Athlete
1975
New Zealand rugby legend, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time
J
Jonah (biblical prophet)
Religious
Hebrew prophet in the Bible and Quran, famous for being swallowed by a great fish (or whale) after fleeing God's call to...
Hebrew prophet in the Bible and Quran, famous for being swallowed by a great fish (or whale) after fleeing God's call to Nineveh
C
Captain Ahab's crew member Jonah allusion Fictional
Other
In Melville's Moby Dick (1851), Father Mapple's sermon about Jonah sets the thematic stage for the entire novel
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Compare Jonah with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #126
- Total SSA Count
- 2,879
- Cultural Origins
- English Jewish Christian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jo
Jay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jonah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Jonah is also used as a girl name, ranked #5257.
View Jonah as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jonah
What does the name Jonah mean?
"dove" (from Hebrew). Jonah comes from the Hebrew Yonah (יוֹנָה), meaning dove — the bird that symbolizes peace, gentleness, and the divine. In the Hebrew Bible, Jonah is the prophet who tried to flee from God, was swallowed by a great fish for three days, and ultimately fulfilled his mission to warn the city of Nineveh. The name was used across Jewish and Christian communities for millennia and has experienced a modern revival as parents rediscovered biblical names with natural imagery.
What is the origin of the name Jonah?
Jonah has Hebrew, English, Jewish, Christian, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "dove".
Is Jonah a boy or girl name?
Jonah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #126. As a girl name, it is ranked #5257. Jonah is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jonah?
Jonah is pronounced j-OHN-uh.
How popular is the name Jonah?
Jonah is currently ranked #126 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jonah?
Common nicknames for Jonah include Jay.
What are good middle names for Jonah?
Popular middle name pairings include Jonah James, Jonah Thomas, Jonah Elias, Jonah River, Jonah Gray, Jonah Miles, and Jonah Cole.
What are good sibling names for Jonah?
Names that pair well with Jonah as siblings include Elijah, Tobias, Micah, Phoebe, Miriam, Gideon, and Esther.
How many syllables does Jonah have?
Jonah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jonah a common or rare name?
Jonah is a popular name, ranked #126 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Jonah?
About the Name Jonah
Jonah is a boy name with English, Jewish, Christian, and American origins . The name means "dove" in Hebrew .
Is Jonah a boy or girl name? Jonah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #126 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #5,257. Jonah is more commonly used as a boy name.
Jonah is currently ranked #126 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jonah has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-OHN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Jonah include Jo and Jay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Jonah include Jonathan, Jonas, Jonathon, Jonatan, Jona . 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