Jonas (name)

Jonas
Pronunciation
  • English: /ˈdʒoʊnəs/ JOH-nəs
  • Danish: [ˈjoːnæs]
  • German: [ˈjoːnas]
  • Lithuanian: [ˈjoːnɐs]
  • Norwegian: [ˈjùːnɑs]
  • Portuguese: [ˈʒonɐs, ˈʒonɐʃ]
  • Spanish: [xoˈnas]
  • Swedish: [ˈjûːnas]
GenderMale
Origin
Word/nameHebrew
MeaningDove; peaceful being, accomplishing, and a gift from God
Other names
Related namesJonah, [Yonash], John, Yonah, Yunus, Jonnas, Janusz
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Jonas is a common male name in many countries in the Western world and Northeast Africa. It is primarily used as a first name, but also occurs as a surname. It is particularly frequent in Germany, Israel, Ethiopia, the Netherlands, Flanders and Scandinavia. It is also the most common name in Lithuania; however, in Lithuania, the name Jonas is derived from the Hebrew Yohanan as opposed to Jonah.

Its widespread use and popularity has roots in its Jewish and Christian origins. As a surname, it is often Jewish, whilst as a first name it is mostly used in countries where Christianity is the main religion, especially in Scandinavian countries, Celtic countries, and Germany. In Turkish, Arabic, Persian and the Muslim world the equivalent name is Yunus (یونس) or Yunas or Younes/Younis. In North America the name found popularity among Métis and Aboriginals in the Northwest.

Etymology

Jonas most often represents Hebrew יוֹנָה (Yōnā) meaning 'dove', the name of multiple Biblical figures. The form Jonah is taken directly from Hebrew, while the form with s is adapted through Greek.[1]

Greek Ίωνας (Ionas) may also mean "Ionian", a member of the Greek tribe Ιωνες Iones who colonized western Asia.

Male variants

Notable people with the given name

Notable people with the surname

Fictional characters

  • Eldred Jonas, character from the novel Wizard and Glass by Stephen King
  • Jonas, the main character in The Giver by Lois Lowry
  • Jonas, a character in the online serial lonelygirl15
  • Jonas Blane, one of the lead characters in the American TV show The Unit
  • Jonas Grumby, the Skipper from the TV sitcom Gilligan's Island
  • Jonas Hodges, a villain in Season 7 of the TV series 24
  • Jonas Morecock, a gay pornographic animated character
  • Jonas Quinn, character in the sci-fi series Stargate SG-1
  • Michael Jonas, character in the sci-fi series Star Trek: Voyager

See also

Search for "Jonas" on Wikipedia.

References

  1. ↑ "Dansk Navneleksikon". ordnet.dk (in Danish). Det Danske Sprog- og Litteraturselskab. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
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