Jonas
Meaning of Jonas
The name Jonas is a classic male given name with deep historical and cultural roots. Originating from the Hebrew name Yonah, meaning "dove," it carries connotations of peace and purity. In English-speaking countries, it is pronounced as JOH-nuhs (/ˈdʒoʊnəs/), while in German, it is pronounced YO-nahs (/ˈjoːnas/). The name Jonas has been steadily popular in the United States for over a century, showing a consistent presence in baby name rankings. It reached its peak popularity in 2008 when it ranked 273rd with 1,255 occurrences. A notable variation of this name is Jonah, which shares the same Hebrew origin. Famous associations include Jonas Salk, the medical researcher who developed the polio vaccine, and the Jonas Brothers, an American pop rock band that gained widespread fame. With its timeless appeal and rich heritage, Jonas remains a strong choice for parents seeking a meaningful and enduring name for their child.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as JOH-nuhs (/ˈdʒoʊnəs/)
German
- Pronunced as YO-nahs (/ˈjoːnas/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Jonas
| Jonas Edward Salk was an American virologist known for developing one of the first successful polio vaccines. |
| Jonas Valančiūnas is a Lithuanian professional basketball player currently playing for the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA. |
| Jonas Malheiro Savimbi was an Angolan revolutionary, politician, and rebel military leader who founded and led the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and played a significant role in the country's history. |
| Jonas Mekas was a prominent Lithuanian-American filmmaker, poet, and artist known as "the godfather of American avant-garde cinema," who co-founded Anthology Film Archives and The Film-Makers' Cooperative in New York City. |
| Jonas Myrin is a Swedish singer, songwriter, and producer known for his solo career and award-winning songwriting for artists like Matt Redman, Barbra Streisand, and Andrea Bocelli. |
| Jonas Wood is a Los Angeles-based contemporary artist. |
| Jonas Jerebko is a Swedish professional basketball player who played 10 seasons in the NBA with four different teams and most recently played for Russian club Khimki. |
| Jonas Lars Björkman is a former Swedish professional tennis player who was ranked world No. 1 in doubles and world No. 4 in singles, and retired after the 2008 Tennis Masters Cup. |
| Jonas Phillips (1736—1803) was a prominent American Revolutionary War veteran and merchant, known as the immigrant ancestor of the Jewish Phillips family in the United States. |
| Jonas Hanway was a British philanthropist and traveler, known for being the first male Londoner to carry an umbrella and for his opposition to tea drinking. |
| Jonas Gray is a former American football running back who gained recognition for his standout performance with the New England Patriots in 2014. |
| Jonas Biliūnas was a prominent Lithuanian writer and poet who played a significant role in the national awakening of Lithuania during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. |
| Jonas Galusha served as the sixth and eighth governor of Vermont during the early 19th century, holding office for two terms. |
| Jonas Erikson Sundahl was a Swedish-born architect known for his Baroque-style designs, primarily working in the German Palatinate. |
| Jonas Goštautas - Jonas Gostautas, a Lithuanian nobleman and politician, served as Chancellor of Lithuania and was a close advisor to Casimir IV Jagiellon before he became the King of Poland. |
