Surname Yunis - Meaning and Origin
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Yunis: What does the surname Yunis mean?
The last name Yunis is an Arabic patronymic surname which derives from the given name Yunus - the Arabic version of the name Jonah. The name is thought to have originated from the Biblical prophet Jonah, whom God had commanded to preach and give a message to the people of Nineveh; instead, he decided to try to run away, fearing the worst. This resulted in his being swallowed by a giant fish, which only released him after three days and three nights.
The meaning of the name Jonah marries well with the meaning of the surname Yunus. The name implies “serene”, “dove-like”, and “peace”. It symbolizes one who is a gentle person, a peacemaker, and one who brings harmony to the world. The surname Yunis is therefore a reflection of the same attributes, often associated with those who possess it.
Generally speaking, those with the surname Yunis come from family lines that are known for their tenacity and ability to remain optimistic during difficult and trying times. The surname Yunis is traditionally viewed as a symbol of hard work and resilience, of trustworthiness and kindness.
In modern times, many with the surname Yunis play prominent roles in the community, and may be doctors, entrepreneurs, educators, or any other trade. The powerful legacy of their namesake lives on through the actions of those who continue to embrace these cherished family values.
Order DNA origin analysisYunis: Where does the name Yunis come from?
The last name Yunis is a relatively uncommon name found in many parts of the world. The popularity of the name varies from place to place, but there are some areas where it has a long history and large concentration of people with the surname.
In the Middle East, Yunis is very common, especially in Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. Many people with this last name trace their ancestry to the ancient Arab region of Yemen, which is why the name is very common in the Middle East.
The United States also has a large population of people with the last name Yunis. There are many communities of Arabic and Middle Eastern Americans who have kept the last name throughout their immigration history in the United States. California, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois are states with particularly large communities of people with the last name Yunis.
The United Kingdom also has a large population of people with the last name Yunis, most of them with origins in Yemen, Lebanon, and Syria. London, Manchester, and Birmingham are some of the cities in the UK with large populations of people with the last name Yunis.
Finally, Australia also has a sizable population of people with the last name Yunis. Although not as large as in other parts of the world, the Yunis name is relatively common in Australia due to its history of immigration from the Middle East and the Arab world.
Variations of the surname Yunis
Yunis is a given name from Arabic origins. Variations of this name include Yunus and Younis, both of which have the same grammatical spelling, yet different phonetic pronunciations. Common spellings of the name include Younes, Younin, and Youniss. Yunus is also a commonly seen spelling of the given name.
Variant surnames with the same origin, which can also be used as given names, include Yamout, Yameen, Yamin, Yammout, Ymout, El Yamen, El Yamin, El Yamout, Yamoun, Yoonees, and Yooness.
Yunis is a popular surname in Middle Eastern countries, particularly in Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and Jordan. It is also found in Israel and in countries which had once been part of the Ottoman Empire.
Variations of the name Yunis are also seen in countries with large Middle Eastern immigrant populations, such as the US, Canada, and the UK. This suggests that the name may have become adopted as an immigrant surname in countries that have received Middle Eastern immigrants in the last century or so.
In all these countries, the surname has been used as both a given name and a surname. In addition, variants of the name are seen in other countries and cultures with the same Arabic root, such as Chechnya, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.
Famous people with the name Yunis
- Carlos Yunis: Venezuelan professional tennis player
- Amado Yunis: Cuban poet, journalist
- Katia Yunis: Venezuelan actress
- Ahmed Yunis: Egyptian novelist and professor
- Gustavo Yunis: Venezuelan economist
- Maryam Yunis: Brazilian actress
- Juan Luis Yunis: Colombian jazz musician
- Hugo Yunis: Chilean actor
- Omar Yunis: Palestinian Facebook programmer
- Mohamed Yunis: Syrian referee of football
- Luis Yunis: Puerto Rican drummer
- Maryam Yunis: Bahraini writer and social researcher
- Coco Yunis: Argentinian actress
- Hussein Yunis: Iraqi actor and director
- Yahya Yunis: Saudi Arabian film director
- Omar Yunis: Egyptian film director