Younis

A Quranic Name for Boys

Younis is variant of Yunus and has the exact same meaning and pronunciation (see below for full meaning). You can use either Younis or Yunus, both are correct and acceptable. If you like this variant more and you'd like to pronounce it the way it is spelled (different than the original name), this is perfectly acceptable. For more details please see the main entry at: Yunus.

Full Meaning of Younis

Younis is a direct Quranic name for boys and is the name of one of the prophets mentioned in the Quran (peace be upon him). According to some sources he was sent to the people of Nineveh (near modern day Mosul in Iraq), and when he ran away from his people in anger, he was swallowed by a whale, but Allah saved him because he was a good man. His name is mentioned five times in the Quran and is also the name of chapter 10 of the Quran (Surat Younis).

The origin of the Younis is said to be Hebrew and the meaning is said to be dove, pigeon. It is a good Islamic name even though its origin is not Arabic, since it is mentioned in the Quran and is part of Islamic culture.

The name Younis is also used by Christians and Jews as Jonah as he is mentioned in the Bible as a prophet.

139. And Younis was one of the messengers. 140. When he fled to the laden boat. 141. then they cast lots and he was the one who lost,. 142. Then the fish swallowed him, and he was to blame. 143. Had he not been one of those who praised [Allah]. 144. He would have stayed in its belly until the Day they are raised. 145. Then We threw him into the wilderness, and he was sick. 146. And We made a gourd tree grow over him. 147. Then We sent him to a hundred thousand, or more. 148. And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment for a while. (Quran 37:139-148)

Surely We have revealed to you as We revealed to Nuh, and the prophets after him, and We revealed to Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq and Yaqoub and the tribes, and Isa and Ayub and Younis and Haroun and Sulaiman and We gave to Dawood (Quran 4:163)

If only there had been a community (of all those that were destroyed of old) that believed and profited by its belief as did the folk of Younis! When they believed We drew off from them the torment of disgrace in the life of the world and gave them comfort for a while. (Quran 10:98)