Younes

Pronunciation: [ y-UHNZ ]

Boy Name #2,169 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The prophetic name of patience — dove of the Quran

Arabic Moroccan Algerian French Turkish Persian

Classic Spiritual Traditional Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"dove"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Arabic

"prophet swallowed by a whale (Quranic narrative)"

Origin: Arabic

Language: Arabic

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.

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

Famous People Named Younes

Younes Bendjima

Other

1993

Algerian-American model known for high-profile relationships in the entertainment world

Younes Kaboul

Athlete

1986

French-Algerian professional footballer who played for Tottenham Hotspur and the French national team

Yunus (Prophet)

Religious

Prophet in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism — the biblical Jonah, known for surviving in the belly of a great fish

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

Younis #1871

Common Nicknames

You Nes

Pairs Well With

Younes Ali Younes Hassan Younes Omar Younes Karim Younes Samir Younes Malik

Sibling Names

Youssef Imran Amina Fatima Ibrahim Layla

Similar Names

Joseph Noah Joshua Jonas Jonathan Jones Jonah Johnathan

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.

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.