Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jonas
BoyHebrew, Greek· “dove”
- Meaning
- dove
- Origin
- Hebrew, Greek
- Pronunciation
- JOH-nuhs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #599
- US babies 2025
- 476
- Best rank
- #274 (2008)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Jonas
Jonas is a Hebrew and Greek name that means “dove”.
Jonas is the Greek and Latin form of Jonah, from the Hebrew Yonah, meaning dove. In the Bible Jonah is the prophet who was swallowed by a great fish before preaching in Nineveh. Jonas is the standard form in many European languages, including German, Dutch, Lithuanian and the Scandinavian languages. Jonas Salk, who developed an early polio vaccine, is one well-known American bearer. The name feels gentle, classic and quietly cool. It has a soft ending that pairs well with many surnames.
Popularity over time
Jonas 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 144 different years. Its best national rank was #274 in 2008, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,256 babies. In 2025, 476 babies were named Jonas, and it ranked #599 nationally. That is 34% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #708 in 1920, #858 in 1950, #455 in 1980, #511 in 2000, #449 in 2010, and #599 in 2025. Of the 28,560 US boys named Jonas since records began, 25% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 6,467 babies. Since 2010, 9,744 more have been named Jonas.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Joaquin, Aaden, Grady, Rodrigo, and Angelo.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jonas ranked highest in New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Idaho.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #287 | 7 |
| Pennsylvania | #306 | 37 |
| Idaho | #398 | 6 |
| Nebraska | #400 | 6 |
| Kansas | #413 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Jonas is usually pronounced JOH-nuhs, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with J and ends in “-as”.
Middle names for Jonas
A few middle names that flow with Jonas: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jonas
Similar names
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LOO-kuhs
“from Lucania (form of Luke)” · German
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Mattias Boy
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ehr-MEE-uhs
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Lists that include Jonas
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jonas mean?
Jonas is a Hebrew and Greek name that means “dove”.
What is the origin of the name Jonas?
Jonas has Hebrew and Greek roots. Jonas is the Greek and Latin form of Jonah, from the Hebrew Yonah, meaning dove.
Is Jonas a popular name?
Yes. Jonas ranked #599 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Jonas a boy or girl name?
Jonas is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Jonas?
Jonas is usually pronounced JOH-nuhs. 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