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Younis

♂ Boy

Pronounced YOO-noos /ˈjuː.nus/Medium

Meaning: DoveMedium

In 30 seconds: Younis is an Arabic boy's name meaning 'dove', the Arabic counterpart of the biblical Jonah.

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Origin MediumArabic

MeaningDove

U.S. rank (2024)#1871 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births86 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 652

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

From Arabic, Younis means 'dove' and is the Arabic form linked to the prophet Jonah. It appears in spellings such as Yunus, Younes, and Yunis, with Jonah standing as its familiar English relative.

The soft opening and gentle close fit the peaceful image of a dove. Cricketer Younis Khan (born 1977) is a well-known bearer of this spelling.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Younis is 'dove', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Younis — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

YunusYounesYonasYunisJonah

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Younis Khan (1977–present)
Male public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Younis…

Yunus— the classical Arabic spelling of Younis listed among its variations

Younes— a French-influenced variation of Younis from the same root

Jonah— the English name Younis corresponds to, also meaning 'dove'

Frequently Asked

What does the name Younis mean?

Younis is usually explained as meaning 'dove' and is most often linked with Arabic tradition.

How do you pronounce Younis?

It's commonly said YOO-noos /ˈjuː.nus/.

Is Younis a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Younis is used as a boy name.

How popular is Younis?

In 2024, Younis ranked #1871 in the U.S. for boys, with 86 births recorded.