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Jonas Boy

Popularity: #483 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationJOH-nuhs / /ˈjoʊ.nəs/

Hebrew; Latin; Greek

Meaning

Hebrew: dove; Latin: gift of God; Greek: God is gracious

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Jonas has its roots in the Hebrew name יוֹנָה (Yonah), which means "dove." This name was adapted into Greek as Ἰωνᾶς (Ionas) and subsequently into Latin as Jonas. The transition into English occurred through the influence of the Latin Vulgate, a late 4th-century Latin translation of the Bible, which popularized the name in Christian contexts. The name is notably associated with the biblical figure Jonah, who is best known for the story of his three days in the belly of a great fish, as recounted in the Book of Jonah, part of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament. This narrative has been a significant element in Judeo-Christian tradition since its composition, which is generally dated to the 8th century BCE.

Throughout history, the name Jonas has been borne by various saints and notable figures, contributing to its enduring presence in Christian communities. One prominent example is Saint Jonas, a 4th-century martyr whose feast day is celebrated in various Christian traditions. The name's biblical associations have imbued it with connotations of peace and hope, symbolized by the dove, which is often seen as a messenger of God or a symbol of the Holy Spirit in Christian iconography. The name has also appeared in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version published in 1611, which helped to further cement its place in Western culture.

Culturally, the name Jonas has resonated through literature and art, often evoking themes of redemption and divine mercy, reflecting the moral lessons found in the biblical narrative. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Jon or Joe, which have been used in different cultures. Overall, the name Jonas carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its ancient origins and the enduring stories associated with it.

Trend Summary

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

Similar Names

Variants

  • Jonah
  • Jonas
  • Yonas

International Variants

  • Noé (French)
  • Jonas (German)
  • Yonas (Amharic)

Famous people named Jonas

Jonas Salk was a medical researcher best known for developing the first successful polio vaccine.

Jonas Brothers are a pop band best known for their albums It's About Time, Jonas Brothers, and A Little Bit Longer.

Jonas Kaufmann is a tenor best known for his performances in operas such as Tosca, La Bohème, and Carmen.

Jonas Valančiūnas is a professional basketball player best known for playing with the Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies.

Jonas Armstrong is an actor best known for his role in the television series Robin Hood.

Jonas Mekas was a filmmaker and artist best known for his work in avant-garde cinema and his diary films.

Fictional characters named Jonas

Jonas is a fictional character from the novel The Giver by Lois Lowry. He is the protagonist who is chosen to inherit the memories of humanity, leading him to question the society's values and choices.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jonas was first seen in the United States in 1880. Jonas has ranked as high as #518 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Jonas has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Jonas (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 52
11%
CA 44
9%
NY 35
7%
PA 33
7%
FL 28
6%
MA 22
5%
TN 18
4%
VA 18
4%
NC 17
4%
IL 16
3%
GA 15
3%
UT 15
3%
WA 15
3%
AZ 14
3%
MO 12
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188028
188125
188226
188322
188435
188523
188620
188724
188830
188925
189022
189118
189224
189326
189413
189526
189621
189719
189818
18999
190031
190117
190227
190326
190422
190519
190618
190729
190830
190919
191018
191131
191250
191351
191460
191581
191684
191773
191895
191991
192084
192173
192278
192363
192470
192570
192697
192770
192870
192969
193077
193157
193264
193350
193466
193551
193652
193745
193848
193953
194052
194155
194253
194352
194462
194544
194654
194767
194870
194960
195064
195166
195258
195365
195459
195558
195677
195759
195853
195962
196070
196143
196262
196367
196489
196587
196680
196767
196858
1969138
1970193
1971229
1972166
1973182
1974163
1975169
1976192
1977185
1978177
1979212
1980341
1981330
1982286
1983277
1984223
1985196
1986178
1987203
1988176
1989164
1990178
1991163
1992152
1993182
1994234
1995257
1996333
1997360
1998418
1999439
2000443
2001452
2002584
2003554
2004574
2005756
2006858
2007976
20081,256
2009812
2010593
2011538
2012588
2013573
2014566
2015724
2016820
2017695
2018704
2019662
2020609
2021561
2022538
2023555
2024531