Names/Jonah/Jonah Berger
Science & TechnologyAmerican1978 – present

Jonah Berger

Marketing professor, author of Contagious: Why Things Catch On

Biography

Jonah Berger (born 1978) is an American marketing professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a bestselling author whose research focuses on social influence, word-of-mouth marketing, and why certain products and ideas become viral. He received his Ph.D. in social psychology from Stanford University and his work has become influential in both academic and business circles. His book 'Contagious: Why Things Catch On' (2013) explores the psychological and social principles that make ideas, products, and behaviors spread, making it one of the most popular business books of the 2010s. Berger's research has been widely cited and has practical applications for marketers and entrepreneurs seeking to understand how to make their messages resonate with audiences. Beyond his written work, he is a popular speaker and consultant who has worked with major companies to apply his insights about social influence and marketing. His research demonstrates how principles of psychology and sociology can explain and predict social behavior. Berger's contributions to understanding viral phenomena and word-of-mouth marketing have made him one of the most influential thinkers in contemporary marketing science.

The Name Jonah

Jonah Berger represents the contemporary association of the name with scientific inquiry, innovation, and the application of research to real-world understanding of human behavior.

Quick Facts
Category

Science & Technology

Nationality

American

Born

1978

Thinking about the name

Jonah

Hebrew origin

Derived from Hebrew meaning 'dove,' Jonah is most famously known from the biblical story of Jonah and the whale, symbolizing faith, redemption, and spiritual transformation. The name carries profound theological weight while remaining accessible and warm, making it increasingly popular among modern parents seeking meaningful names.