Ionas is a Greek and Latin Biblical form of Jonah, used in the Greek Bible and the Latin New Testament, as well as in some versions of the Latin Old Testament. It is a direct transliteration of the Greek Ἰωνᾶς, which itself derives from the Hebrew name יוֹנָה (Yona), meaning 'dove'. The name is closely related to Iona, a variant found in Biblical Latin manuscripts. Etymology and Biblical Context The name Jonah appears in the Old Testament Book of Jonah, where the prophet is swallowed by a fish after fleeing from God's command to preach to Nineveh. The Greek and Latin forms, including Ionas, were used in early Christian translations of the Bible, such as the Septuagint and the Vulgate. The use of Ionas in the Latin New Testament reinforces its recognition in Christian tradition, while the form Jonah gained popularity only after the Protestant Reformation. Notable Bearers and Cultural Significance While Ionas is primarily a Biblical name, it shares similarities with the Greek mythological figure Ion, the eponymous ancestor of the Ionians. According to Euripides' tragedy Ion, Ion was the illegitimate son of Creusa and the god Apollo, saved by Hermes and raised by the Delphic Oracle's priestess. Although this connection is more phonetic than etymological, it highlights the name's resonance in Greek culture. In religious contexts, Ionas appears as the Greek form of the prophet Jonah, particularly in Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions that use the Septuagint and Latin Vulgate. Variants and Usage Ionas is part of a broader family of names across languages, including Yonas (Tigrinya), Younis (Arabic), Yunus (Turkish), Younes (Persian), and Yunis (Azerbaijani). All ultimately derive from the Hebrew root. Ionas itself is rarely used in modern English-speaking countries but persists in Greek and Latin religious contexts. Meaning: Dove Origin: Hebrew, through Greek and Latin Type: Biblical, chiefly New Testament Usage: Greek Bible, Latin Bible; Eastern and Western Christian traditions