Younes
A masculine Arabic name meaning "he who constantly remembers God".
Name Census estimates that about 572 living Americans carry the first name Younes. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Younes today is around 10 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Younes births was 2024 (67 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Younes. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
572
~ 1 in 599,221 Americans
Peak year
2024
67 babies that year
Average age
10
years old
2024 SSA rank
#2,183
Tracked since 1999
Popularity
Younes: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Younes from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 242 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Younes by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Younes during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Younes' live
The SSA's state-level files cover 8 states and territories. New York, California, Massachusetts recorded the most babies named Younes, while Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 18 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Younes
The name Younes has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, originating in the Middle East and North Africa regions. It is derived from the Arabic word "Yunus," which translates to "dove" or "pigeon." This name has a deep connection with the Islamic faith and its religious texts.
In the Quran, the holy book of Islam, Younes is the Arabic name given to the prophet Jonah, who is mentioned in several chapters. The story of Prophet Jonah and his experience with the whale is a significant narrative in Islamic teachings, highlighting the themes of faith, repentance, and divine mercy.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Younes can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the early days of the Islamic era. It was a popular name among Arab communities and gradually spread to other regions with the expansion of Islamic civilization.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Younes. One of the most famous is Younes Khayati (1240-1345), a renowned Sufi poet and mystic from Morocco. His works, including "The Book of Illumination," have had a lasting impact on Islamic spirituality and literature.
Another influential figure is Younes Mahmoud (1875-1947), an Egyptian writer, politician, and activist who played a significant role in the Egyptian nationalist movement against British occupation. His writings and speeches inspired generations of Egyptians to fight for their independence.
In the realm of sports, Younes El-Aynaoui (born 1972) is a former professional tennis player from Morocco. He achieved a career-high ranking of 14th in the world and won several ATP titles, becoming a renowned figure in North African and Arab tennis.
Younes Belhanda (born 1990) is a contemporary professional footballer from Morocco who has represented his country at the international level. He has played for several top European clubs, including Dynamo Kyiv and Galatasaray, and is known for his skilled midfield play.
Younes Tawfik (1935-2022) was an acclaimed Egyptian actor and comedian, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of Egyptian cinema. His comedic performances and roles in numerous films and television series have left an indelible mark on Arab popular culture.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have carried the name Younes throughout history, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and significance in various fields.
People
Younes + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Younes as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Y
Other first names starting with Y with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Younes: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Younes?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 572 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Younes going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 599,221 US residents.
Is Younes a common name?
We classify Younes as "Very Rare". It ranks above 85.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 577 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Younes most popular?
The single biggest year for Younes was 2024, when 67 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Younes is about 10 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Younes a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Younes in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.