At a Glance
- Meaning
- Bear
- Origin
- Cherokee
- Pronunciation
- YOH-nah
Yona is a Cherokee name used for both boys and girls meaning “bear”. It appears in our list of 200+ Native American Baby Names Honoring Indigenous Heritage.
Meaning & Origin of Yona
Meaning: Bear.
Origin: Cherokee.
A common claim: Sometimes associated with the Hebrew name Yonah/Jonah ('dove') because of the similar spelling. Actually: These are unrelated names from unrelated language families -- the Cherokee word yona means 'bear,' not 'dove.'
How to Pronounce Yona
YOH-nahIPA /ˈjoʊ.nə/
Popularity of Yona
Lists That Include Yona
Similar Names
Atsila · Wyanet · Ahuli · Wohali · Galadi · Wesa
