Jonel is of Hebrew origin and means "God is merciful." It is derived from the Hebrew word 'yonah,' which signifies 'dove.' This name carries a peaceful and gentle connotation, reflecting the qualities often associated with doves. Jonel gained popularity as a given name in the late 20th century but remains relatively uncommon today. It has been used more frequently among families of Jewish descent or those interested in Hebrew culture and traditions.
"Jonel appears to have been a popular name for newborns during the mid-20th century, with peaks in the late 1940s, early 1960s, and mid-1980s. The highest number of babies named Jonel was born in 1962 with 14 births that year. However, its popularity seems to have decreased significantly after the 1980s, as indicated by a total of only 328 births over nearly nine decades."