Yona Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YOH-nah //joʊˈnɑː//
Origin: Hebrew; Japanese
Meaning: Hebrew: dove; Japanese: she who is kind
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Yona has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word "יונה" (Yonah), which means "dove." This etymology is significant as the dove is often associated with peace and purity in various cultural and religious contexts. The name has been carried through various languages and cultures, transitioning from Hebrew to Greek as "Iona" and then into Latin as "Iona" as well.
The name made its way into English through biblical translations, particularly the King James Bible in the early 17th century, where it appears in the context of the prophet Jonah, known for his story of being swallowed by a great fish and later preaching to the city of Nineveh. Historically, the name Yona is linked to the biblical figure Jonah, who is a prominent character in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament.
His narrative, which is found in the Book of Jonah, dates back to the 8th century BCE. Jonah's story has been influential in religious teachings and has inspired numerous artistic and literary works throughout history, reinforcing the name's significance in Judeo-Christian traditions.
The name has also been borne by various saints and notable figures in religious history, further embedding it in cultural consciousness. Culturally, the dove symbolizes hope and renewal, which has contributed to the name Yona's enduring resonance across different societies.
In Jewish tradition, the dove is often associated with the story of Noah, where a dove brings back an olive branch, symbolizing the end of the flood and the restoration of peace. This connection enhances the name's positive connotations.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Yoni" have emerged in various cultures, reflecting the name's adaptability and continued relevance in different linguistic contexts.
Famous people named Yona
In this section, you will find notable people named Yona. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Yona who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Yona who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Yona Friedman was an architect and urban planner best known for his theories on mobile architecture and the concept of the 'Spatial City'.
Yona Wallach was a poet best known for her works that explore themes of sexuality and identity in modern Hebrew literature.
Fictional characters named Yona
The following list of fictional characters named Yona is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Yona is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Akatsuki no Yona. She is the main protagonist who embarks on a journey to reclaim her kingdom after being betrayed by her cousin.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Yona, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Yona. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Yona was first seen in the United States in 1982.
Yona has ranked as high as #1329 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in New York.
In the past 5 years the name Yona has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Yona is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Yona was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Yona (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 14 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Yona.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 31 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2017 | 27 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2011 | 18 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1997 | 10 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1982 | 5 |