Jonas

Jonas is the Greek form of Jonah which is a Biblical name of Hebrew origins and is borne by the hot-tempered, disobedient Israelite prophet in the short book of the Bible bearing his name. Ironically, the name comes from the Hebrew word “yonah” meaning ‘dove’ when in fact it’s a creature of the sea, not a creature of flight, who ultimately saves Jonah. In the Bible, God tells Jonah to go east to Nineveh (the Assyrian capital) and declare His plan to destroy it for their sinful ways. What does Jonah do? Later God! He hightails it west on a boat headed for modern-day Spain. In retaliation, God sends a violent storm to the seas which threatens to destroy the ship. Jonah is left to confess to his fellow sailors that the storm is actually his fault for disobeying God and the only way to save themselves is to throw Jonah overboard. Given to human self-preservation, the sailors give Jonah the old heave-ho. Later Jonah! Once in the high seas with no floatation device, Jonah cries out to God for help. The Lord rescues his naughty prophet by sending a “big fish” (traditionally referred to as a whale) to swallow Jonah and keep him safely until he’s delivered to the dry shores. When God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh again, this time the prophet wisely agrees. The story of Jonah and the Whale was immensely popular in medieval times which gave rise to the name. While Jonas is used among English-speakers, it’s not as popular as the Hebrew form of Jonah right now. Jonas is more common in Nordic countries and Germany. It is a Top 10 boy’s name in Austria, Germany, Greenland, Lichtenstein, Norway and among the German-speaking Swiss. It is also the Lithuanian form of John.