Jonas (name)
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| Wikipedia articles | All pages beginning with Jonas |
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 German 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.
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[edit] 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'.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Notable people with the given name Jonas
- Jonas Salk - the American physician and researcher, best known for the development of the first polio vaccine
- Jonas Snäckmark, Swedish singer and one of the contestants in Swedish Idol 2006
- 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 Celebrity, rally driver and Tennis player
[edit] People with the surname Jonas
- George Jonas, Hungarian-born conservative Canadian writer, poet and journalist
- Hans Jonas, German-born philosopher
- Franz Jonas, Austrian federal president
- Margarete Jonas, Austrian first lady
- Kevin, Joseph, and Nicholas Jonas, members of the band The Jonas Brothers
- Terry Jonas Chairman of Authentics Limited cutting Edge design company.
- Shawn Jonas - Lead vocalist for the band Zao and Symphony In Peril.
[edit] 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.
- Nicholas Jonas - of the Jonas Brothers (aka Nick Jonas)- In series J.O.N.A.S.
- Joseph Jonas - of the Jonas Brothers (aka Joe Jonas)- 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.
[edit] 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.
