William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
Jonah
BoyHebrew· “dove”
- Meaning
- dove
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JOH-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #128
- US babies 2025
- 2,828
- Best rank
- #124 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Jonah
Jonah is a Hebrew name that means “dove”.
Jonah comes from the Hebrew Yonah, meaning "dove". In the Bible, Jonah is the prophet who flees from God's command, is swallowed by a great fish, and after three days is released to preach to the city of Nineveh. The story has made the name one of the best known in the Hebrew Bible, and it appears in art and literature from medieval times onward. Jonah fits the modern taste for gentle biblical names with a soft ending, such as Noah and Micah. It is simple to spell and pronounce, and its peaceful meaning makes it appealing to many parents.
Popularity over time
Jonah has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 75 different years. Its best national rank was #124 in 2023, and the most babies received it in 2008, when 2,981 were named Jonah. In 2025, 2,828 babies were named Jonah, and it ranked #128 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,012 in 1920, #1,589 in 1950, #412 in 1980, #192 in 2000, #143 in 2010, and #128 in 2025. Of the 85,283 US boys named Jonah since records began, 33% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 23,697 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Emmanuel, Cayden, Omar, Andres, and Erick.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jonah ranked highest in District of Columbia, Maine, and Ohio.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #68 | 12 |
| Maine | #77 | 16 |
| Ohio | #94 | 133 |
| Kentucky | #96 | 55 |
| Wisconsin | #97 | 62 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Jonah over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Jonah is usually pronounced JOH-nuh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with J and ends in “-ah”.
Middle names for Jonah
A few middle names that flow with Jonah: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jonah
Similar names
Judah Boy
JOO-duh
“praised” · Hebrew
#178
Izaiah Boy
eye-ZAY-uh
“Yahweh is salvation” · Hebrew
#635
Uriah Boy
yoo-RY-uh
“God is my light” · Hebrew
#650
Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Micah Boy
MY-kuh
“who is like Yahweh” · Hebrew
#90
Isiah Boy
eye-ZY-uh
“God is salvation; variant of Isaiah” · Hebrew
#1,480
Micaiah Unisex
my-KAY-uh
“who is like Yahweh?” · Hebrew
#1,386
Benaiah Boy
buh-NY-uh
“God has built” · Hebrew
#1,170
Jeriah Boy
juh-RY-uh
“God has seen” · Hebrew
#1,368
Nehemiah Boy
nee-uh-MY-uh
“comforted by God” · Hebrew
#429
Alijah Boy
uh-LY-juh
“variant of Elijah” · American (modern coinage)
#469
Zachariah Boy
za-kuh-RY-uh
“the Lord remembers” · Hebrew
#538
Lists that include Jonah
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jonah mean?
Jonah is a Hebrew name that means “dove”.
What is the origin of the name Jonah?
Jonah has Hebrew roots. Jonah comes from the Hebrew Yonah, meaning "dove".
Is Jonah a popular name?
Yes. Jonah ranked #128 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Jonah a boy or girl name?
Jonah is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Jonah over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Jonah?
Jonah is usually pronounced JOH-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings