Boy name
Yunus name meaning
“dove; the name of the prophet Jonah”
Yunus means dove and is the name of the prophet Jonah. It comes through Arabic Yūnus from Hebrew Yōnāh and is used as a boy's name in Türkiye. The historical poet Yunus Emre gives it a prominent literary association, while the dove meaning belongs to its Hebrew source.
- Gender
- ♂ Boy
- Origin
- Arabic
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity
- In TÜİK lists
What does Yunus mean?
Dove; the name of the prophet Jonah
In Turkish: güvercin; Yunus peygamberin adı
Yunus names the prophet Jonah, whose story appears in the Quran and whose name titles a surah. In Turkish literature, Yunus Emre gives it a strong additional association with poetry and Sufism. Although identical to the Turkish word for dolphin, the personal name derives from the prophet’s name.
How popular is Yunus?
Official figures: TÜİK newborn name lists (2018–2025, the top 30 for Türkiye and each of the 81 provinces every year) and the most common names in the population.
- Province lists
- 32provinces
Where is Yunus in the top 30?
32 provinces · the latest year each province listed it
Double names with Yunus
Double names counted as one name in TÜİK newborn lists (all years and provinces combined).
Source: TurkStat (TÜİK), Address-Based Population Registration System. The lists cover the top 30 names per year, sex and province; no official counts are published for less common names. All statistics →
Why is Yunus popular?
Yunus combines its prophetic association with a well-established literary connection to the poet Yunus Emre. Its gentle, two-syllable sound complements that historical and cultural depth.
Origin of the name Yunus
From Arabic Yūnus, corresponding to Hebrew Yōnāh, “dove.” The Turkish use of yunus for a dolphin is a separate development of meaning.
| Linguistic origin | Arabic, Hebrew |
|---|---|
| Naming tradition | Islamic |
| In Islamic history | Names found in the Quran, Names of prophets |
| Is Yunus in the Quran? | Yes, as a name · يونس · 10:98Yunus appears in the Quran as a prophet's name and is also the name of a sura. |
| Starts with | Y · Yu |
Names are shared across communities. Where a name is common says nothing certain about any one person’s background, faith or origin.
Double names with Yunus
Double-name ideas built from names in our dictionary, with the meaning of each name.
-
Yunus Mekki
Meaning of each name
- Yunus: dove; the name of the prophet Jonah
- Mekki: of Mecca; associated with Mecca
-
Nasır Yunus
Meaning of each name
- Nasır: helper, supporter
- Yunus: dove; the name of the prophet Jonah
-
Yunus Seyfettin
Meaning of each name
- Yunus: dove; the name of the prophet Jonah
- Seyfettin: sword of the faith
-
Mecit Yunus
Meaning of each name
- Mecit: glorious, exalted, great in honour
- Yunus: dove; the name of the prophet Jonah
-
Yunus Eymen
Meaning of each name
- Yunus: dove; the name of the prophet Jonah
- Eymen: fortunate, auspicious; on the right
-
Vahdet Yunus
Meaning of each name
- Vahdet: unity, oneness and being one
- Yunus: dove; the name of the prophet Jonah
Double names found in TÜİK’s newborn lists: Yunus Emre, Yunus Eymen, Yunus Efe, Yunus Kayra.
How to pronounce Yunus
| Syllables | 2 · 5 letters · 5-letter boy names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /junus/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | یونس |
| Arabic | يونس |
Is Yunus a boy’s name?
Yes, Yunus is used mostly as a boy’s name. See all boy names.
Yunus appears in TÜİK’s most-used name lists. See the statistics section above (Source: TurkStat, ADNKS).
Spellings and similar names
Names that sound like Yunus
Names with related meanings
- Ertuğrul♂Heroic tuğrul
- Osman♂Traditionally, a young bustard
- Tuğrul♂A falcon-like bird of prey
- Şahin♂The bird of prey called a hawk or buzzard
- Doğan♂Falcon
- Kartal♂A large, powerful bird of prey
- Turgay♂Lark
- Çakır♂♀Light, flecked eye colour
- Sumru♂♀Tern
- Tayfur♂A small bird
- Şahan♂Falcon
- Doğancan♂A falcon-like spirit
Famous people named Yunus
- Yunus Akgün · b. 2000
- Yunus Mallı · b. 1992
- Yunus Emre Konak · b. 2006
- Yunus Nadi Abalıoğlu · b. 1879
- Yunus Sarı · b. 1991
- Yunus Emre Başar · b. 1995
- Yunus Emre Çift · b. 2003
- Yunus Özel · b. 1987
- Yunus Bahadır · b. 2002
- Yunus Çankaya · b. 1985
- Yunus Nüzhet Unat · b. 1913
- Yunus Altun · b. 1977
FAQ about the name Yunus
What is the meaning of Yunus?
Yunus means “dove; the name of the prophet Jonah”. From Arabic Yūnus, corresponding to Hebrew Yōnāh, “dove.” The Turkish use of yunus for a dolphin is a separate development of meaning.
Is Yunus a boy’s name?
Yes, Yunus is used mostly as a boy’s name.
Is Yunus in the Quran?
Yes, as a name. Yunus appears in the Quran as a prophet's name and is also the name of a sura. (e.g.: 10:98)
What is the origin of the name Yunus?
Yunus is of Arabic and Hebrew origin.
How many syllables does Yunus have?
Yunus has 2 syllables and 5 letters.
How popular is the name Yunus?
Yunus appears in TÜİK’s most-used name lists. See the statistics section above (Source: TurkStat, ADNKS).
What names go well with Yunus?
Some ideas: Yunus Mekki; Nasır Yunus; Yunus Seyfettin.
Famous people named Yunus?
Notable people named Yunus include Yunus Akgün, Yunus Mallı, Yunus Emre Konak.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm00077 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake