Yunis

♂ Boy

Pronounced YOO-nis /ˈjuː.nɪs/High

Meaning: Arabic form of Jonah (Yunus); dove, symbolizing peace and God's mercyHigh

In 30 seconds: An Arabic form of Jonah (Yunus), meaning 'dove' — a name carried by a prophet revered in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism alike. Yunis conveys peace, divine mercy, and spiritual depth.

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Origin HighArabic, Hebrew

MeaningArabic form of Jonah (Yunus); dove, symbolizing peace and God's mercy

U.S. rank (2024)#3203 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births38 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 406

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Yunis is a variant spelling of Yunus, the Arabic rendering of the Hebrew name Yonah (Jonah), meaning dove. In the Abrahamic traditions, the dove symbolizes peace and the spirit of God. Jonah was a Hebrew prophet whose story — of being swallowed by a whale and emerging renewed — is found in the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Quran.

The name Yunus and its variant Yunis have been popular across the Muslim world for centuries, given in honor of the Quranic prophet. It is common in Arabic-speaking countries, Turkey, and South Asia. The spelling Yunis is particularly used in North Africa and parts of the Arab diaspora. In the West it remains uncommon but is found among Muslim immigrant families.

Did you know? The prophet Yunus (Jonah) is mentioned in the Quran in Surah Yunus (Chapter 10), and his story of repentance and divine mercy makes the name Yunis/Yunus especially significant in Islamic naming tradition.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Yunus — Arabic form of Jonah, meaning and usageQuran, Surah Yunus — Quranic reference to the prophet Yunus

Variations

YunusYonusJonahJonas

Nicknames

Yuni

Famous Bearers

★Younis Mahmoud (1983–present)
Iraqi footballer and national team captain who led Iraq to the 2007 AFC Asian Cup title.

If you like Yunis…

Yunus— direct alternate spelling of Yunis

Jonah— the same name's English/Hebrew form

Isa

Yusuf— Arabic form of Joseph, another Quranic prophet's name

Ibrahim

Frequently Asked

What does the name Yunis mean?

Yunis means 'dove' — it is the Arabic form of the prophet Jonah's name (Yunus/Yonah), symbolizing peace and divine mercy.

How do you pronounce Yunis?

Yunis is pronounced YOO-nis /ˈjuː.nɪs/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Yunis a boy or girl name?

Yunis is exclusively a boy's name, used as a given name in Muslim communities worldwide.

How popular is Yunis?

Yunis is common in Arab-speaking countries and North Africa, and found among Muslim diaspora families in the West, though uncommon in U.S. overall rankings.