Holding steady, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Yonas since 1985
Babies named Yonas per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 16 |
| 1990s | 107 |
| 2000s | 120 |
| 2010s | 108 |
| 2020s | 65 |
Meaning & origin
Yonas is a distinctive name with deep biblical roots, used primarily within Ethiopian and Eritrean communities. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1985, reflecting immigration patterns from the Horn of Africa. The name reached its peak usage in 2003, and has since held a stable trajectory, consistently chosen each year. With a current rank of 9,714 and about 1 in every 244,011 boys named Yonas, it remains a rare but meaningful choice. The name's simplicity and cross-cultural resonance make it a bridge between heritage and contemporary life.
Yonas is a direct transliteration of the Amharic and Tigrinya form of the Hebrew name Yonah (יונה), meaning 'dove'. It is widely used in Ethiopia and Eritrea among Christian and Muslim families, reflecting the biblical prophet Jonah. The name has been in consistent use in the diaspora, particularly in the United States since the mid-1980s.
“Yonas” around the world
Where Yonas lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yoni
Sibling names for Yonas
Names that share Yonas's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Selam, Meklit, Hanna, Tsion, Ruth, Arsema, Yohana, Desta, Feven, Mahelet, Mahlet, Melat, Nardos, Soliyana, Yemariam, Rakeb, Afomia, Bemnet, Emnet, Kalkidan, Maraki, Mariamawit, Winta
Brothers: Elias, Samuel, Mikael, Yonatan, Abel, Ermias, Kidus, Natnael, Abenezer, Alazar, Amanuel, Bereket, Dagmawi, Dawit, Eyob, Henok, Kirubel, Leul, Naod, Yacob, Biruk, Barkot, Eyoab, Kebron, Mikias, Naol, Nolawi, Surafel, Temesgen
