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Jonah Boy

Popularity: #122 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationJOH-nuh / /ˈdʒoʊ.nə/

Hebrew; English

Meaning

Hebrew: dove; English: derived from Hebrew

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Jonah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "yonah," which means "dove." This etymological origin is significant, as the dove is often associated with peace and divine messages in various cultural contexts. The name transitioned into Greek as "Iōnas" and later into Latin as "Jonas," before being adopted into Old French and eventually into Middle English as "Jonah." This linguistic journey reflects the name's enduring presence across different cultures and languages, particularly within the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Historically, Jonah is best known as a biblical figure from the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Jonah, which is dated to the 8th century BCE. The narrative recounts Jonah's reluctant mission to the city of Nineveh, where he is famously swallowed by a great fish, an event that has become emblematic of themes of redemption and divine mercy. The story of Jonah has been influential in both Jewish and Christian traditions, leading to its inclusion in various religious texts, including the Septuagint and the King James Bible, which was published in the early 17th century. The character of Jonah has also inspired numerous artistic and literary works throughout history, reinforcing the name's significance.

Culturally, the name Jonah has come to symbolize themes of prophecy, repentance, and the complexities of obedience to divine will. The association with the dove further enhances its connotation of peace and hope. In various traditions, the name has been used in religious contexts, often invoking the qualities of the biblical Jonah. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Jon" have emerged, though the name Jonah itself remains the most recognized form. Overall, the historical and cultural resonance of the name Jonah underscores its lasting impact across different eras and societies.

Trend Summary

The name Jonah has seen a steady rise in popularity in the United States over the past few decades.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Jonas
  • Jonny

International Variants

  • Jonás (Spanish)
  • Jonas (Latin)
  • Yona (Hebrew)
  • Noé (French)

Famous people named Jonah

Jonah Hill is an actor and filmmaker best known for Superbad, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Moneyball.

Jonah Lomu was a rugby player best known for his performances with the New Zealand national team and in the Rugby World Cup.

Jonah Lehrer is an author and journalist best known for his books How We Decide and Imagine: How Creativity Works.

Fictional characters named Jonah

Jonah Hex is a fictional character from the comic book series Jonah Hex. He is a bounty hunter in the American Old West known for his scarred face and anti-heroic nature.

Jonah is a fictional character from the animated series The Amazing World of Gumball. They are a student at Elmore Junior High who often finds themselves in humorous situations with their friends.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jonah was first seen in the United States in 1880. Jonah has ranked as high as #247 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Jonah has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Jonah (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 335
12%
CA 309
11%
NY 166
6%
FL 159
6%
OH 132
5%
NC 113
4%
PA 102
4%
GA 89
3%
MI 81
3%
IL 75
3%
VA 73
3%
TN 70
3%
MO 62
2%
WA 61
2%
IN 59
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18808
18815
18825
188310
188411
188516
188711
18886
18897
18909
18918
18928
18937
18957
18965
18976
18988
18997
190011
19026
19035
19045
19057
19065
190710
190817
19095
19106
191118
191215
191318
191419
191533
191632
191725
191831
191925
192047
192133
192244
192332
192433
192533
192621
192729
192830
192927
193019
193117
193223
193324
193436
193527
193633
193724
193818
193931
194029
194126
194225
194331
194420
194530
194626
194719
194826
194917
195022
195136
195238
195332
195420
195543
195632
195728
195825
195922
196028
196121
196233
196325
196431
196533
196620
196730
196839
196944
197070
1971161
1972154
1973130
1974151
1975132
1976185
1977226
1978168
1979390
1980394
1981385
1982287
1983260
1984269
1985268
1986235
1987290
1988243
1989260
1990239
1991246
1992224
1993449
19941,179
19951,371
19961,569
19971,621
19981,465
19991,710
20001,833
20011,982
20022,312
20032,431
20042,296
20052,222
20062,411
20072,510
20082,981
20092,718
20102,775
20112,867
20122,955
20132,902
20142,920
20152,913
20162,778
20172,523
20182,725
20192,693
20202,819
20212,735
20222,749
20232,895
20242,879