Jonah

Updated: April 7, 2022 by MomsWhoThink Staff

For new parents of the Christian faith, the baby name Jonah brings back the tale of “Jonah and the Whale” from the Old Testament in the Bible. But these days, it's gone beyond its biblical background, and it's currently one of the top 150 names for baby boys in the United States. It has a cool meaning, and it makes a great alternative to Joseph or Jacob, which are a bit overplayed. Pair Jonah with both classic and trendy middle names.

Meaning of the name Jonah:

Hebrew: Dove

Origin of the name Jonah:

Jonah is a Hebrew name from the Bible. Jonah was an Israelite prophet. The name comes from the Hebrew word “yona,” which means dove.

Symbolism of the name Jonah:

The baby name Jonah means “dove,” and the dove is a symbol often associated with peace. Because of the biblical story of Jonah, sailors often use the name as a symbol of someone who brings bad luck to a ship.

Style of the name Jonah:

Traditional

Gender of the name Jonah:

Jonah is a boy's name.

Pronunciation of the name Jonah:

JOE-nah

Number of syllables in the name Jonah:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Jonah:

The baby name Jonah evokes images of someone who is independent and adventurous.

Alternative spellings for the name Jonah:

N/A

Nicknames for the name Jonah:

Joe
Jo
Jon
Joni
Jonny

Popularity of the name Jonah:

According to the Social Security Administration, Jonah was a top 1,000 baby name for boys in the United States on and off up until 1911. It then fell off the list and reemerged in 1970. Ever since, it's become increasingly popular. As of 2020, it ranks at number 128.