Jonas (name)

Infobox Given Name Revised
name = Jonas


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Jonas is a common male name in most western countries. Its primary use is as a first name, but is a common surname. It is particularly used in the Scandinavian countries, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, but is also a common Lithuanian name. Its widespread use and popularity has roots in its Christian origin; the name is mostly common in countries where Christianity is the main religion, although it is used globally. In North America the name found popularity among Métis and Aboriginals in the Northwest where it became widespread.

Meaning

The name "Jonas" has several meanings, and the meanings vary depending upon the several origins of the name.The Hebrew version of the name means Dove; a symbol of peace. From this it is assumed that the name Jonas means a peaceful being.The Biblical version of the name includes the Hebrew meaning, but additionally means someone who is a 'destroyer' or 'he who oppresses'. As a variation of Jonah, it can be considered to mean 'accomplishing', and a 'gift from god'.

Origin

The name has several origins, and although the main ones are considered to be Hebrew and Biblical, it also has minor roots in Greek and Swedish culture.The biblical version of the name is a derivation of the name Jonah, a famous biblical character which entered the whale's gape, but was spared, and exited the gape alive -- a prime example of God's mercy in biblical terms.

Notable people with the given name Jonas

* Jonas Salk, American physician and researcher, best known for the development of the first polio vaccine
* Jonas Hellborg, Swedish bass player
* Jonas Åkerlund, Swedish movie and music video director
* Jonas Armstrong, British/Irish actor
* Jonas Kyratzes, writer and game designer
* Jonas Björkman, Swedish tennis player
* Jonas Bjerre, lead singer of Danish band Mew
* Jonas Altberg, Swedish Eurodance Artist Basshunter
* Jonas McNair — DJ, Aspen Colorado
* Jonas Isaksen, Danish rally driver and tennis player
* Jonas Basanavičius, an activist and a signatory of the Act of Independence of Lithuania
* Jonas Biliūnas, Lithuanian short story writer
* Jonas Jablonskis, Lithuanian language linguist and modifier of the standard Lithuanian language
* Jonas Mačiulis, Lithuanian writer and poet, who used the pseudonym "Maironis"
* Jonas Mačiulis, a Lithuanian basketball player
* Jonas Mekas, Lithuanian film maker
* Jonas Reckermann, German beach volleyball player
* Jonas Švedas, Lithuanian composer
* Jonas Vaitkus, lecturer and film director in Lithuania
* Jonas Vileišis
* Jonas Schrickx, swimbear from Margenbourg
* Jonás Gutiérrez, Argentine footballer
* Jonas Brothers

Fictional characters

* Jonas Quinn - character in the sci-fi series Stargate SG-1
* Jonas Simbacca, fictional character in "Exosquad"
* Michael Jonas, character in the sci-fi series Star Trek: Voyager
* Jonas, a character in the online serial "lonelygirl15", portrayed by Jackson Davis
* Jonas, the main character in the "Giver" trilogy
* Eldred Jonas - character from the novel Wizard and glass by Stephen King.
* Jonas — Earthbound spacefaring companion of Severian in Gene Wolf's The Book of the New Sun.
* Jonas Blane - one of the lead characters in the American television show The Unit.
* Nick Jonas - of the Jonas Brothers - In series J.O.N.A.S.
* Joe Jonas - of the Jonas Brothers - In series J.O.N.A.S.
* Paul Kevin Jonas II of the Jonas Brothers (aka Kevin Jonas)- In series J.O.N.A.S.

Contemporary use of the name Jonas

* "My Name Is Jonas" - a song from the alternative rock band Weezer's first album, Weezer (The Blue Album).
* "Jonas, or the Artist at Work" - a short story from the collection Exile and the Kingdom by French author Albert Camus.

External links

* [http://jas.wondertime.go.com/babynamer?page=ShowName&name=Jonas&origin=Hebrew&meaning=the+doer&middleName=&lastName= Wonder Time - Baby Names - Jonas]
* [http://www.pickbabynames.com/Hebrew/J/Jonas.html Pick Baby Names - Jonas]
* [http://praised.forsaken-faith.org/jonas/ The Official Name Listing for Jonas]