Jona - Name Meaning and Popularity -

Meaning of Jona

Jona, a unisex appellation of Hebrew origin, constitutes a succinct variant of the Biblical name Yonah—literally “dove”—which has been adopted across diverse linguistic traditions, notably within German‐speaking regions (pronounced /joˈna/) and the Scandinavian languages (pronounced /juˈna/). Historically attested in the Old Testament narrative, the name carries connotations of peace and introspection, qualities that have facilitated its transition from a strictly liturgical context into broader secular use. In contemporary Anglo‐American onomastic statistics, Jona has maintained a position within the top one thousand names for newborns in the United States, attaining a rank of 898 in 2024, thereby evidencing a gradual yet discernible resurgence over the past decade. Its brevity, combined with a rich biblical lineage and clear phonetic profile across multiple cultures, underpins its appeal to parents seeking a gender‐neutral name endowed with enduring classical resonance.