Yoni (יוני) is a popular Jewish boy’s name, typically used a nickname for Yonah (יונה), Yonatan (יונתן), or Yehonatan (יהונתן).

Yonah (Jonah) means “dove.” The name is most closely associated with the Prophet Jonah, of Jonah-and-the-whale fame, whose story is recounted in the Biblical Book of Jonah and read annually on Yom Kippur.

Yonatan/Yehonatan means “G‑d has given.” The Biblical Yonatan (Jonathan) was the son of Saul and deeply devoted friend of David. He risked his life time and time again to save David from Saul’s evil schemes. Their friendship is described as one that did not depend on anything. It was friendship for friendship’s own sake.

Famous People With Your Name

Always popular, the name experienced a surge in popularity in the late 1970s and 80s as Jewish boys were named in memory of Yoni (Yonatan) Netanyahu, hero of the July 3-4, 1976, Entebbe rescue. Yoni led the team of commandos who miraculously rescued more than 100 hostages from the hands of vicious terrorists, 4,000 kilometers from home.

He was the team’s sole fatality and is still widely regarded as a hero.