Jónas is the Icelandic and Faroese form of Jonah, the biblical prophet. The name ultimately derives from the Hebrew יונה (Yona), meaning "dove." In the Book of Jonah, the prophet is swallowed by a great fish and later emerges after three days, a story that became a symbol of resurrection in Christian tradition.Usage and VariantsIn Iceland, Jónas is a common given name with the genitive form Jónasar. Patronymics are used: a son of Jónas is called Jónasson (or Jónasarson) and a daughter Jónasdóttir (or Jónasardóttir). The Faroese follow a similar patronymic system. Variants across other languages include Yonas (Tigrinya), Younis (Arabic), Yunus (Turkish), Younes (Persian), Yunis (Azerbaijani), and Jonah in English.Cultural SignificanceThe story of Jonah was widely known in medieval Europe, and the Hellenized Greek form Jonas was occasionally used in England. In Scandinavia, Jónas gained popularity particularly after the Protestant Reformation, when biblical names were adopted more widely. The name's aquatic symbolism—linking dolphins, fish, and doves—can also be found in mythological figures like Jonah. Notable Icelandic Jónasar include poet Jónas Hallgrímsson (19th century) and former footballer Jónas Guðni Sævarsson.Pronunciation and GrammarIn Icelandic, Jónas is pronounced approximately /ˈjouːna(ː)s/. It is declined as a masculine proper noun: nominative Jónas, accusative Jónas, dative Jónasi, genitive Jónasar. In Faroese, the declension follows a similar pattern.Meaning: Dove (derived from Hebrew Yona)Origin: Hebrew biblical name; via Greek JonasType: Masculine given nameUsage Regions: Iceland, Faroe Islands; less commonly in other Nordic countriesAlternate forms: Jonah, Jonas, Yonas, Yunus