Jonah in Chinese
Jonah in Chinese is 约拿 (Yuē Ná).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- dove
Etymologically, Jonah is Hebrew and is commonly glossed as "dove". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2000s.
3 ways to write Jonah
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
约拿
Yuē Ná
The standard transliteration of Jonah: 约 (yuē, "covenant, agreement"), 拿 (ná, "to hold (phonetic 'na')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Syllable by syllable: 约 (yuē) carries "jo", 拿 (ná) carries "nah". The tone contour is 1-2 (high level, rising).
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 约
yuē
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
covenant, agreement
- 拿
ná
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
to hold (phonetic 'na')
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Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
鸿飞
Hóng Fēi
Inspired by "dove": 鸿 (hóng, "swan goose; grand") + 飞 (fēi, "to fly"), expressing graceful creatures and soaring flight.
Why these characters?
鸿 (swan goose; grand) answers the "dove" in Jonah's meaning, and 飞 (to fly) rounds it off as a typical ending for boys' names.
Character breakdown
14 strokes total (simplified)- 鸿
hóng
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
swan goose; grand
- 飞
fēi
Tone 1 · 3 strokes (simplified)
to fly
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
岳鸿
Yuè Hóng
岳 (yuè, "high mountain") + 鸿 (hóng, "swan goose; grand"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
岳 (yuè) sounds close to the opening "jo" of Jonah (compare 约 yuē) but means "high mountain"; 鸿 adds "swan goose; grand".
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 岳
yuè
Tone 4 · 8 strokes (simplified)
high mountain
- 鸿
hóng
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
swan goose; grand
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Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Jonah
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Jonah ranked 133 among names recorded for boys, with 16,935 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 62,836 boys named Jonah since 1880, with the high point in 2008 (2,976 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #652 to #155 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2008
- Peak decade
- 2000s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 62,836
More About Jonah in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Jonah offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Jonah, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Larry in Chinese, Cristian in Chinese, and Miles in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Drew in Chinese, Abraham in Chinese, and Kaden in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Jonah, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Jonah to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Jonah in Chinese characters?
约拿 (Yuē Ná), or 約拿 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 约拿 have?
16 strokes in simplified form and 19 in traditional; per character: 约 6, 拿 10.
Is Jonah written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 约拿 becomes 約拿; the changed characters are 约→約. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.