The nameJonas

Jonas is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "dove". The Greek form of Jonah, it is popular in Germany and Scandinavia.

Meaning

Jonas comes from the Hebrew Yonah, "dove".

Origin

Hebrew, through Greek. Jonah is the prophet swallowed by a great fish in the Bible.

History

Jonas has been among the leading names in Germany, Denmark and Norway. The Jonas Brothers made it known in the United States, where it reached the top 280.

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Famous people named Jonas

Popularity of the name Jonas

Jonas in the United States

556thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024
2008peak year (1,256 births)
28,092babies named Jonas in the United States since 1880
06281,256 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Jonas was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 7,270 births over the decade, 26% of all recorded babies named Jonas. Its rise began around 1969, and it peaked in 2008. Half of all babies named Jonas in the United States were born before 2004. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 559 births a year on average, against 721 in the five years before.

Jonas in the United Kingdom

735thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2018peak year (115 births)
1,775babies named Jonas in the United Kingdom since 1997
058115 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Jonas was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 895 births over the decade, 50% of all recorded babies named Jonas. Half of all babies named Jonas in the United Kingdom were born before 2014, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 63 births a year on average, against 97 in the five years before.

Jonas in France

250thmost popular boys' name in France, latest official figures
2016peak year (410 births)
10,025babies named Jonas in France since 1900
0205410 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Jonas in Belgium

569thmost popular boys' name in Belgium in 2025
1996peak year (552 births)
6,726babies named Jonas in Belgium since 1995
0276552 1995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Jonas in Switzerland

77thmost popular boys' name in Switzerland in 2025
2001peak year (315 births)
5,906babies named Jonas in Switzerland since 2000
0158315 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Jonas in Austria

9thmost popular boys' name in Austria in 2025
2010peak year (753 births)
16,300babies named Jonas in Austria since 1984
0377753 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Jonas in Norway

49thmost popular boys' name in Norway in 2025
2006peak year (562 births)
16,289babies named Jonas in Norway since 1945
0281562 1960198020002020
Births per year in Norway. Source: Statistics Norway (SSB), table 10467.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Jonas

Names from the same generation as Jonas, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Jonas? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Jonas with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Jonas side by side with the name of your choice.

Jonas in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Jonas mean?

Jonas comes from the Hebrew Yonah, "dove".

What is the origin of the name Jonas?

Hebrew, through Greek. Jonah is the prophet swallowed by a great fish in the Bible.

Is Jonas a girl's or a boy's name?

Jonas is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Jonas?

In 2024, Jonas was the 556th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 531 births.

What are the variants of the name Jonas?

Variants and related names of Jonas include Younes.

What are good sibling names for Jonas?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Noemi, Madeleine, Johanna and Lea for a sister, Johan, Sam, Emanuel and Aron for a brother.

Who are famous people named Jonas?

Jonah (Jonas), prophet; Jonas Salk, inventor of the polio vaccine; Jonas Kaufmann, tenor; Jonas Vingegaard, cyclist.