Jonah
2025 SSA
2025 SSA
About Jonah
Jonah, the name of the Old Testament prophet who was swallowed by the whale, only to emerge unharmed three days later, is increasingly appreciated by parents looking for a biblical name less common than Jacob or Joshua, yet not too obscure. Plus, Jonah comes with a ready-made nursery-decorating motif.
Jonah for boys#128 US
The appealing Jonah has been featured in such movies as Sleepless in Seattle and Knocked Up and is currently represented by actor/writer Jonah Hill.
Jonas is the Greek version and Yona is a female spin.
Jonah for girls#3803 US
Jonah as a feminine name represents an uncommon gender crossover from its traditional use as a masculine name. Originally from Hebrew origins, Jonah (יוֹנָה) means 'dove,' symbolizing peace and gentleness—qualities that translate beautifully to feminine usage. While predominantly known as a biblical masculine name associated with the prophet swallowed by a great fish, its soft ending sound and meaningful symbolism make it an intriguing choice for girls. This feminine application of Jonah aligns with contemporary trends of repurposing traditionally male names for girls. Though still rare for females, it offers a spiritual connection, recognizable pronunciation, and a subtle uniqueness that appeals to parents seeking something familiar yet distinctive for their daughters.
Pronounced JO-nuh.
As of October 2026, Jonah ranked #128 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #124 in 2023, Nameberry popularity #179.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #138 | 2,920 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #143 | 2,913 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #150 | 2,778 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #154 | 2,523 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | #145 | 2,725 | #4,030 | 36 |
| 2019 | #139 | 2,693 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #128 | 2,819 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #138 | 2,735 | #4,768 | 28 |
| 2022 | #135 | 2,749 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #124 | 2,895 | #4,311 | 33 |
| 2024 | #126 | 2,879 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #128 | 2,828 | #3,803 | 39 |
World rankings
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Jonah on lists
Famous Jonahs
- JonahBoy
Biblical prophet
- Jonah Hill (Feldstein)Boy
American actor
- Jonah BoboBoy
American actor
- Jonah Tali LomuBoy
New Zealand rugby union player
- Jonah MaraisBoy
American Musical Artist, part of Why Don't We boyband
- Jonah Jacob GoldbergBoy
American columnist and author
- Jonah James BaylissBoy
American baseball player
- Jonah Cardeli FalconBoy
American actor and TV personality
- Robert Elliott "Jonah" JonesBoy
American jazz trumpeter
- Leonard "Jonah" JonesBoy
Welsh sculptor
- Jonah KeriBoy
sportswriter/FiveThirtyEight contributor
- Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'oleBoy
prince of Hawaii, U.S. Congressional delegate
- Jonah Rzadzinski MatrangaBoy
American singer,songwriter
- Jonah RaskinBoy
American author
- Jonah Ray (Rodrigues)Boy
American actor and comedian
- Jonah NimoyBoy
American musician, grandson of actor Leonard Nimoy
- Jonah CairnsBoy
son of musician Andy Cairns of Therapy?
- Jonah HwangBoy
son of actress Jennifer Lien and filmmaker Phil Hwang
- Jonah (b. 2004)Boy
son of supermodel Tatjana Patitz
- Jonah Bucatinsky (b. 2008)Boy
son of actor Dan Bucatinsky and screenwriter Don Roos
- Jonah Frank King (b. 2011)Boy
son of journalists Dana Bash and John King
- Jonah Buckland (b. 2011)Boy
son of guitarist Jonny Buckland of Coldplay
- Jonah MaddoxBoy
Phillip Bryant (b. 2012), son of singer Lil' Mo and Phillip Bryant
- Jonah Christopher Deffenbaugh (b. 2012)Boy
son of singer Jo Dee Messina and Chris Deffenbaugh
- Jonah Josiah Rivera (b. 2015)Boy
son of singers Jaclyn Victor and Shawn Rivera
Jonah in pop culture
- Jonah Woodson HexBoy
character in DC Universe
- JonahBoy
character in "Cat's Cradle" (1963) by Kurt Vonnegut
- Jonah BaldwinBoy
son in movie "Sleepless in Seattle"
- Jonah TakaluaBoy
character in "Summer Heights High" and "Jonah from Tonga"
- Jonah BreelandBoy
character on TV's "Hart of Dixie"
- Jonah RyanBoy
character on TV's "Veep"
- JonahBoy
character in British comic "The Beano" by Ken Reid
- Jonah SkidmoreBoy
main character in Margaret Peterson Haddix's "The Missing” series
- Jonah AickmanBoy
character in movie "The Haunting in Connecticut"
- J. Jonah JamesonBoy
character in the Spider,Man series
- Jonah KirbyBoy
character on British TV's "Waterloo Road"
- "Jonah Who Will Be 25 in the Year 2000Boy
" 1975 Swiss movie
- Jonah SimmsBoy
character on TV's "Superstore"
- Jonah Jeremiah "JJ" JonesBoy
character from British TV series "Skins"
- Jonah BeckBoy
character on the Disney Channel show "Andi Mack"
- JonahBoy
side kick in new Tomb Raider games
- Jonah GriggsBoy
character in YA novel "On the Jellicoe Road" by Melina Marchetta
- Jonah BishopBoy
a character from the Nickelodeon cartoon "Welcome To The Wayne"