The story behind Jonas
From Latin Iōnās, from Koine Greek Ἰωνᾶς (Iōnâs), from Biblical Hebrew יוֹנָה (yônâh, “dove”). Doublet of Jonah.
Other language forms and explanations (4)
Dutch entry
From Middle Dutch Jonas, from Latin Iōnās, from Ancient Greek Ἰωνᾶς (Iōnâs), from Biblical Hebrew יוֹנָה.
Portuguese entry
Borrowed from Latin Iōnās, from Ancient Greek Ἰωνᾶς (Iōnâs), from Hebrew יוֹנָה.
Swedish entry
From the Ancient Greek equivalent of English Jonah, ultimately from Hebrew, also a short form of Johannes. First recorded as a given name in Sweden in 1303.
Lithuanian entry
Borrowed from Latin Ioannes, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), ultimately derived from Biblical Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (yōḥɔnɔn).
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): JH OW1 N AH0 S
Regional pronunciation variants
- Dutch: /ˈjoː.nɑs/
- Portuguese; Brazil: /ˈʒõ.nɐs/
- Portuguese; Rio-de-Janeiro: /ˈʒõ.nɐʃ/
- Portuguese; Portugal: /ˈʒɔ.nɐʃ/
- Swedish: /juːnas/
- Lithuanian: [²ˈjo̟ːnɐs]
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Jonas ranked #599 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Jonas
Jānis
First recorded in 13th century. Ultimately from Hebrew, cognate to English John.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Janus
From Latin Iānus (“the Roman god Janus”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Jesús
From Latin Iēsūs, from Ancient Greek Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs), from Hebrew ישוע (yēšūaʿ). The exceptional use of Jesús as a first given name in Spanish-speaking countries contrasts with…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Jezus
Borrowed from Latin Iēsūs.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Joonas
From Latin Iōnās, from Koine Greek Ἰωνᾶς (Iōnâs), from Biblical Hebrew יוֹנָה (yonáh, literally “dove, pigeon”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Judas
From Middle English Iudas, from Latin Iudas, from Ancient Greek Ἰούδας (Ioúdas), from Hebrew יְהוּדָה (y'hudá). Doublet of Judah. From Latin Judas, from Ancient Greek Ἰούδας…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Jonas
Aabraham
From Biblical Hebrew אברהם ('aḇrāhām), of Biblical origin.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Aapeli
Vernacular form of the biblical Abel or Aabel, from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abednego
From Hebrew עֲבֵד נְגוֹא, itself derived from a reconstructed Aramaic name meaning likely "servant of Nabu" or "servant of Nergal".
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Jonas
Aapeli
Vernacular form of the biblical Abel or Aabel, from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aarão
From Latin Aarōn, from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן ('aharón). Doublet of Faro.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length