Yonah Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YOH-nah /joʊˈnɑː/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Dove
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Yonah is of Hebrew origin, derived from the word "יונה" (Yonah), which translates to "dove" in English. This etymology is significant as the dove is often associated with peace and purity in various cultural contexts.
The name appears in biblical texts, where it is used to refer to the prophet Jonah, known for the Book of Jonah in the Hebrew Bible. The name's journey into English can be traced through the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, where it was rendered as "Ionas," and later into Latin as "Jonas." This Latin form eventually made its way into Old French before being adopted into Middle English as "Jonah." Historically, the figure of Jonah is notable for his story of being swallowed by a great fish, which is a central narrative in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
This story, particularly prominent in the Hebrew Bible around the 5th century BCE, has been interpreted in various ways, often symbolizing themes of repentance and divine mercy. The name has also been borne by various saints, including Saint Jonah of the 4th century, who is recognized in the Christian tradition.
The name's biblical roots and the associated narratives have contributed to its enduring presence in religious and cultural contexts. Culturally, the dove symbolizes peace and hope, which enhances the name's resonance across different societies.
In Jewish tradition, doves are often seen as messengers and symbols of the Holy Spirit, further enriching the name's significance. The name Yonah has also been used in various diminutive forms, such as Yoni, which has been embraced in different cultural settings.
Overall, the name Yonah carries a rich historical and cultural legacy, reflecting themes of spirituality and moral lessons that have transcended time.
Famous people named Yonah
In this section, you will find notable people named Yonah. 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 Yonah who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Yonah 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.
Yonah Schimmel is a baker best known for Yonah Schimmel's Knish Bakery in New York City.
Yonah Wolf is a musician best known for his work with the band The Band of Heathens.
Fictional characters named Yonah
The following list of fictional characters named Yonah 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.
Yonah is a fictional character from the video game series Nier. She is the younger sister of the protagonist, who embarks on a quest to save her from a mysterious illness.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Yonah, 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 Yonah. 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 Yonah was first seen in the United States in 1974.
Yonah has ranked as high as #6272 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in New York, New Jersey, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Yonah has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Yonah 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 Yonah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Yonah.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 42 | 42 | 0 |
| 2024 | 43 | 43 | 0 |
| 2023 | 42 | 33 | 9 |
| 2022 | 41 | 36 | 5 |
| 2021 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 2020 | 32 | 25 | 7 |
| 2019 | 33 | 33 | 0 |
| 2018 | 32 | 32 | 0 |
| 2017 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 2016 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 2015 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2014 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2013 | 29 | 29 | 0 |
| 2012 | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| 2011 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 2010 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 2009 | 32 | 32 | 0 |
| 2008 | 28 | 23 | 5 |
| 2007 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 2006 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 2005 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 2004 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2003 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2002 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2001 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 2000 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1999 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1998 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1997 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1996 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1995 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1994 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1993 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1992 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1991 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1990 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1989 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1988 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1987 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1986 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1985 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1984 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1983 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1981 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1980 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1978 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1974 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Yonah (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 17 | |
| NJ | 7 |