Jonah is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "dove". It is derived from the Hebrew name Yonah, which also means "dove". In the Bible, Jonah is known as the prophet who was swallowed by a whale, an event that inspired the story of Pinocchio.
The name Jonah has been popular throughout history, appearing in various forms and spellings in different cultures. In ancient times, it was commonly used among Jewish populations, and later spread to other parts of the world through Christianity. Today, Jonah is a popular boys' name in countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
There are several famous individuals with the name Jonah. One of the most well-known is American actor Jonah Hill, who rose to fame in films like "Superbad" and "The Wolf of Wall Street". Another notable figure is British musician Jonah Lewis, a member of the band The Wombats.
Overall, Jonah is a strong and distinctive name with a rich history and meaningful symbolism. Its unique meaning and biblical associations make it an attractive choice for parents looking for a memorable name for their child.
The name Jonah has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were relatively few newborns named Jonah each year, with numbers ranging from as low as 5 to as high as 33 births per year between 1880 and 1949.
However, starting in the 1950s, we begin to see a steady increase in the number of babies named Jonah. In 1955, there were 43 births, and this number has continued to grow over time. By the 1970s, over 100 babies were being named Jonah each year, with 168 births recorded in 1978.
The 1980s marked a significant turning point for the name Jonah's popularity. In 1980, there were 394 births, and this number continued to rise throughout the decade, reaching an all-time high of 449 births in 1993. This trend of increasing popularity has persisted into the 21st century, with over 2,500 babies named Jonah each year since 2002.
In recent years, the name Jonah's popularity has remained consistently high, with over 2,700 births recorded annually between 2016 and 2023. As of 2023, there have been a total of 79,504 babies named Jonah born in the United States since records began.
This data demonstrates that while the name Jonah was not particularly popular in its early years, it has since become one of the most commonly chosen names for newborn boys in the United States. This upward trend in popularity suggests that the name will continue to be a favored choice among parents for many years to come.