Find out how popular the last name Yonas is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Yonas.

Yonas, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Yonas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yonas in America

Yonas is the 60790th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yonas surname appeared 331 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Yonas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yonas to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Yonas

The surname Yonas has its origins deeply rooted in the Semitic languages and is primarily associated with Ethiopia. While the exact timeline of its emergence as a surname remains somewhat elusive, it is clear that it has ancient connections tied to the region's history and cultural expansions. Yonas is often considered a patronymic surname, derived from the given name Jonas—a name itself linked to Biblical traditions, echoing the tale of Jonah from the Hebrew Bible.

In the Geez language, which is a precursor to modern Amharic and Tigrinya languages spoken in Ethiopia, Yonas is related to the name Iyasu, which means "God is salvation." This rich religious and linguistic backdrop underscores its resonance not just as a given name but eventually as a surname. Historical records indicate the use of Yonas as a surname in Ethiopia's royal and noble lineages, signifying a lineage of considerable standing and notable heritage.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Yonas appears in the royal decrees and documents of the Ethiopian empire during the reign of Emperor Dawit II in the early 15th century. This era marked an intensification of Christian influence and governance structures, possibly contributing to the formalization of surnames such as Yonas among the Ethiopian elite.

Moving forward through history, one notable figure bearing the surname Yonas was Ras Yonas, a prominent noble and military leader during the Zemene Mesafint, the Era of the Princes, in the 18th century. This period saw a decentralized Ethiopian state where regional warlords held significant power. Ras Yonas was born around 1740 and played a key role in the intricate power dynamics of the time, passing away in 1813.

Another significant individual was Yonas Bewketu, a well-respected Ethiopian historian and scholar born in 1922. His works on Ethiopian history and culture in the mid-20th century provided critical insights into the country's rich past and were widely celebrated in academic circles.

Around the same period, in the literary realm, Yonas Adamu, an influential Ethiopian writer born in 1935, gained acclaim for his novels that depicted the intricacies of Ethiopian society and the historical changes it underwent during the 20th century. His literary contributions have left a lasting impact on Ethiopian literature and cultural discourse.

Further back, records from the late 19th century also mention Yonas Kifle, an important figure in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Born in 1865, he contributed significantly to the church's theological and administrative development until his death in 1930, fostering religious education and practice.

In the 20th century, Yonas Mekuria, born in 1948, emerged as a significant political figure during the transformative periods of Ethiopian history, particularly during the Derg regime and its aftermath. His policies and political activism were instrumental in shaping modern Ethiopian governance structures before his untimely death in 1995.

The surname Yonas not only remains prevalent in Ethiopian society, but it continues to hold historical significance, bearing witness to the country’s illustrious past and the individuals who have carried the name through the ages. Its deep roots in Semitic language and Ethiopian history highlight its enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yonas

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Yonas.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Yonas was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Yonas has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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