Fun Facts About the Name Jonan
- 265 babies named Jonan: U.S. records list 265 babies given the name Jonan from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Jonan Mean?
Jonan is a biblical name usually explained to mean "the Lord is gracious." It comes from Greek, where it appears in the New Testament as Ἰωνάν, and it is generally treated as a shortened Greek form of the Hebrew name Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן). That Hebrew name joins a short form of the divine name, Yah or Yeho, with chanan, "to be gracious" or "to show favor."
A second explanation connects Jonan with Yonah (יוֹנָה), the Hebrew name of the prophet Jonah, which means "dove." The Greek forms are close - Ἰωνάν (Jonan) beside Ἰωνᾶς (Jonas) - and the two could have been treated as related in copying. The evidence does not settle which derivation is correct, though the link with Yochanan is the more common explanation.
Jonan Name History & Origins
In the New Testament, the name Jonan appears in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke (3:30), where he is named as the son of Eliakim and the father of Joseph. The verse gives only his place in the lineage.
Luke was written in Greek, and manuscripts vary at this name. Some read Ἰωνάν, printed as "Jonan" in the King James Version and in several later translations; others read Ἰωνάμ, printed as "Jonam." The difference is small and typical of how names were shortened or adjusted as texts were copied by hand.
The name is usually grouped with the Jewish names formed from Yochanan, which was common in the Second Temple period and is represented in the New Testament by figures such as John the Baptist and John the Apostle. As a modern given name it is uncommon in English-speaking countries. The same spelling also occurs in Japanese place names such as Jōnan, meaning "south of the castle," but that is an unrelated word.
How Popular is the Name Jonan?
Jonan has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2014. Its best rank was #5,581 in 2014.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #9,275 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2023 | #7,965 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2022 | #9,385 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2021 | #7,337 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2020 | #10,035 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2019 | #13,051 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2017 | #6,479 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2016 | #7,859 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2015 | #6,128 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 2014 | #5,581 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2013 | #6,801 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2012 | #5,837 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2011 | #6,091 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 2010 | #9,205 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2009 | #7,981 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2008 | #6,575 | 13 | 0.0006% |
| 2007 | #7,331 | 11 | 0.0005% |
| 2006 | #9,112 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2005 | #8,680 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2003 | #5,710 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2002 | #8,028 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2001 | #9,872 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2000 | #8,635 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1999 | #9,259 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1998 | #7,990 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1996 | #7,520 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1994 | #9,514 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1981 | #6,761 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Jonan Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are honest, benevolent, brilliant and often inventive, full of high inspirations. You are courageous, honest, determined, original and creative. You are a leader, especially for a cause. Sometimes you do not care to finish what you start, and may leave details to others. You can do well in position of authority, and prospers in intellectual and professional fields. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Jonan's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Jonan's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.