Jonah
Jonah is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Dove.
Origin and history
Jonah is a classic biblical name derived from the Hebrew word for dove. It has seen steady, rising popularity in the United States over recent decades, appealing to parents looking for a traditional yet modern-sounding name. In the Hebrew Bible, Jonah was a prophet famous for his encounter with a giant fish.
Popularity in the United States
85,283 babies in the United States have been named Jonah since 1880. It ranks #348 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #133.
States where it is most popular
- CA (11.4 %)
- TX (8.7 %)
- NY (5.9 %)
- FL (4.9 %)
- OH (4.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 79 |
| 1890-1900 | 65 |
| 1900-1910 | 71 |
| 1910-1920 | 222 |
| 1920-1930 | 329 |
| 1930-1940 | 252 |
| 1940-1950 | 249 |
| 1950-1960 | 298 |
| 1960-1970 | 304 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,767 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,889 |
| 1990-2000 | 10,073 |
| 2000-2010 | 23,697 |
| 2010-2019 | 28,053 |
| 2020-2029 | 16,935 |
Famous people named Jonah
- Jonah Hill: Actor, Director
- Jonah Lomu: Rugby Player
Fun facts
- The biblical story of Jonah and the whale is one of the most widely recognized stories in Western literature.
- The dove, which is the direct translation of Jonah, has historically served as a symbol of peace and freedom.