Boy · Greek · Old Testament · Biblically inspired

Jonas

Q: Is Jonas a biblical name?

Jonas is a biblically rooted name. While it does not appear in Scripture in this exact form, it comes directly from a biblical name or phrase. Jonas has long been common in Scandinavia, Germany, and the Netherlands, and it has grown steadily in the United States in recent decades, helped along by its gentle sound and biblical roots. It is simply the Greek shape of an old, well-known name.

JOH-nus · from Ionas · means “Dove”

Jonas is the Greek form of Jonah, meaning "dove." It appears in the Greek New Testament, where Jesus refers to "the sign of Jonah" (Matthew 12:39). Jonas is a genuine biblical name form, carrying forward the story of the reluctant prophet swallowed by a great fish and given a second chance.

Faith Hope Grace

“In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.”
— Jonah 2:2 (NIV)

The story behind the name

Jonas has long been common in Scandinavia, Germany, and the Netherlands, and it has grown steadily in the United States in recent decades, helped along by its gentle sound and biblical roots. It is simply the Greek shape of an old, well-known name.

Jonah tried to run from God's call to preach to Nineveh, and ended up in the belly of a great fish for three days and nights. From there he prayed, and God heard him even in the deep (Jonah 2). It is one of Scripture's clearest pictures of a God who pursues and rescues.

When Jonah finally preached, the whole city repented, though Jonah himself sulked over God's mercy toward his enemies. A boy named Jonas carries a story of second chances and a God whose grace reaches further than we expect it to.

A blessing to pray over Jonas

Lord, when this son runs, call him back gently as You called Jonah. Give him a heart soft enough to carry Your mercy to people he might rather avoid. Amen.