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Yona

♂ Boy

Pronounced YOH-nah /ˈjoʊ.nɑ/High

Meaning: From Hebrew Yonah, 'dove' (the prophet Jonah); independently, Cherokee yona, 'bear'Medium

In 30 seconds: A dove of peace — or a Cherokee bear: Yona is Hebrew for 'dove' (the prophet Jonah) and, separately, Cherokee for 'bear'. Gentle or mighty, a name with two beautiful roots.
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Origin MediumHebrew, Cherokee
MeaningFrom Hebrew Yonah, 'dove' (the prophet Jonah); independently, Cherokee yona, 'bear'
U.S. rank (2024)#3675 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births31 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 467

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419822024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Yona comes from Hebrew Yonah, 'dove' — the prophet Jonah, swallowed by the great fish — a symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit. Independently, yona is the Cherokee word for 'bear'. The name carries dove-gentleness and bear-strength at once; this page covers its boys' use.

In the U.S. it appears in Jewish, Native American, and varied families. Rare, dove-or-bear at the root, and evocative.

Did you know? Yona means 'dove' in Hebrew — the bird of peace and Noah's messenger — while in Cherokee, 'yona' means 'bear', a powerful clan animal; one sound, two natural symbols.
Overall data confidence 75%
Behind the Name — Yonah — etymology

Variations

YonahJonahYonas

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Yona…

Jonah— the English form of the Hebrew root
Yonah— the fuller Hebrew spelling
Noam— a fellow gentle Hebrew name
Ezra— a companion short biblical name

Browse the whole category: All Hebrew names →  ·  All Cherokee names →  ·  All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Yona mean?

Yona is Hebrew for 'dove' (Jonah) and, separately, Cherokee for 'bear'.

How do you pronounce Yona?

It's said YOH-nah /ˈjoʊ.nɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Yona a boy or girl name?

Yona is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Yona?

Yona is a rare name in the U.S.