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Yonas

♂ Boy

Pronounced YOH-nahs /ˈjoʊ.nɑs/Medium

Meaning: A Greek and Amharic/Ethiopian form of Jonah — from Hebrew Yonah, 'a dove'Medium

In 30 seconds: A dove: Yonas is a form of Jonah — 'a dove'. Lyrical, biblical, and warm (said 'YOH-nahs').

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Origin MediumHebrew, Greek

MeaningA Greek and Amharic/Ethiopian form of Jonah — from Hebrew Yonah, 'a dove'

U.S. rank (2024)#6155 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births15 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2003

Total births (all-time)≈ 409

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Yonas is a Greek and Amharic (Ethiopian/Eritrean) form of Jonah — from the Hebrew Yonah, 'a dove'. In the Bible, Jonah was the prophet swallowed by the great fish. A lyrical, biblical name, much-loved across the Horn of Africa (said 'YOH-nahs'; nickname Yoni).

In the U.S. it appears in Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Scandinavian families. Rare, a-dove at the root, and biblical.

Did you know? Jonah comes from the Hebrew Yonah, 'a dove' — Yonas is its Greek and Ethiopian (Amharic) form — a lyrical, biblical name, much-loved in Ethiopia and Eritrea (said 'YOH-nahs').

Overall data confidence 65%

Behind the Name — Jonah — root etymology

Variations

JonahJonasYonah

Nicknames

Yoni

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Yonas…

Jonas— the Latin/Scandinavian form

Jonah— the English form

Yonatan— a fellow Yon- Hebrew boys' name

Pinchas— lands in the same popularity range

Loukas— shares Yonas's Greek roots

Explore names like Yonas

By themehebrew greek biblical ethiopian

By meaningBird

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Yonas mean?

Yonas is a Greek and Ethiopian form of Jonah — Hebrew 'a dove'.

How do you pronounce Yonas?

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

Is Yonas a boy or girl name?

Yonas is a boy's name.

How popular is Yonas?

Yonas is a rare name in the U.S.