Find out how popular the first name Younis has been for the last 25 years (from 1999 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Younis by gender

Based on the last 25 years of data, Younis is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 61 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Younis.

The history of the first name Younis

The name Younis is derived from the Arabic word "Yunus" which means "dove" or "pigeon." Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Semitic languages of the Middle East, where it was used as a personal name several centuries before the Common Era.

Younis is a prominent name in Islamic history and literature. It is the Arabic form of the biblical name Jonah, who was a prophet in the Abrahamic religions. The story of Jonah and the whale is narrated in the Quran, where he is referred to as Younis or Dhun-Nun.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Younis can be found in the works of the renowned Arab poet and scholar Al-Mutanabbi, who lived from 915 to 965 CE. He wrote a poem praising a man named Younis ibn Abd al-Rahman, who was a ruler in the Hamdanid dynasty.

In the 12th century, Younis al-Qattan was a famous Andalusian poet and scholar from Seville, Spain. He is renowned for his contributions to Arabic literature and his expertise in the fields of linguistics and theology.

Another notable figure with the name Younis was Younis Bahri, a Mamluk Sultan who ruled over Egypt and Syria in the late 13th century. He was known for his military campaigns against the Mongols and his efforts to strengthen the Mamluk Sultanate.

During the Ottoman Empire, Younis Aga was a highly influential figure who served as the Chief Black Eunuch of the imperial harem in the 16th century. He was a powerful advisor to Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and played a significant role in the administration of the empire.

In more recent times, Younis Mahmoud Khoudri was a prominent Lebanese writer and journalist who lived from 1917 to 2003. He is renowned for his contributions to Arabic literature and his advocacy for Lebanese independence and Arab nationalism.

These are just a few examples of the many notable figures throughout history who have borne the name Younis, which has a rich cultural and historical significance in the Arabic-speaking world and beyond.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Younis was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Younis, please contact us.

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