יוֹנָה

Jonah

boyHebrewJewishChristian

Jonah is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Dove”.

MeaningDove
GenderBoy
OriginHebrew
Written asיוֹנָה
PronunciationJOH-nuh
TraditionJewish, Christian
Used inUnited States, United Kingdom, Australia, Israel

Meaning and origin of Jonah

Jonah is from the Hebrew Yonah, 'dove'. The Book of Jonah tells of a prophet who tries to flee God's command to preach to Nineveh, is swallowed by a great fish, and is spat out three days later, after which he delivers his message and the city repents. Jesus refers to 'the sign of Jonah' in the Gospels. The name has become fashionable again in English-speaking countries.

Is Jonah a Jewish name?

Jonah is a prophet of the Hebrew Bible and is read on Yom Kippur in Jewish worship; he is honoured in Islam as Yunus.

How popular is Jonah?

Popular in English-speaking countries in recent years.

Gifts with the name Jonah

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Spellings and variants of Jonah

JonasYonaYunusGiona

Names similar to Jonah

More Jewish boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Jonah mean?

Jonah means 'Dove'. It is of Hebrew origin.

Is Jonah a Jewish name?

Jonah is a prophet of the Hebrew Bible and is read on Yom Kippur in Jewish worship; he is honoured in Islam as Yunus.

How do you pronounce Jonah?

Jonah is pronounced JOH-nuh.

Is Jonah a boy or girl name?

Jonah is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.