Josh Boy

Popularity: #842 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JOSH /dʒɒʃ/

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: Hebrew: God is my salvation; English: diminutive of Joshua

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Josh is a diminutive form of Joshua, which originates from the Hebrew name Yehoshua, meaning "Yahweh is salvation." The name is composed of two elements: "Yeho," a form of the divine name Yahweh, and "shua," meaning salvation or deliverance. This name transitioned into Greek as Iesous, which was then rendered into Latin as Iesus.

The Old French adaptation of the name led to the modern English form Joshua, with Josh emerging as a common short form in the 20th century. Historically, Joshua is a significant biblical figure, known as the successor of Moses who led the Israelites into the Promised Land, as recounted in the Book of Joshua, which is part of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament.

This text, likely compiled in the late 7th century BCE, recounts the conquest of Canaan and the division of the land among the tribes of Israel. The name Joshua gained prominence in Christian contexts, particularly following the translation of the Bible into English, including the King James Version published in 1611, which helped solidify its usage in the English-speaking world.

Culturally, the name Josh, as a shortened form, carries connotations of familiarity and approachability, often associated with friendly and relatable characters in literature and media. The enduring nature of the name can be attributed to its biblical roots and the positive attributes associated with its meaning.

In various traditions, the name has been linked to themes of leadership and faith, resonating with those who value its historical and spiritual significance. The diminutive Josh, while informal, reflects a sense of camaraderie and warmth, contributing to its lasting appeal.

Famous people named Josh

In this section, you will find notable people named Josh. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Josh who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Josh who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Josh Hutcherson is an actor best known for The Hunger Games, Bridge to Terabithia, and Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Josh Groban is a singer and songwriter best known for his albums Josh Groban, Closer, and Illuminations.

Josh Brolin is an actor best known for No Country for Old Men, Milk, and Avengers: Infinity War.

Josh Duhamel is an actor and former model best known for Transformers, Las Vegas, and Safe Haven.

Josh Homme is a musician best known as the frontman of Queens of the Stone Age and for his work with Eagles of Death Metal.

Josh Ritter is a singer-songwriter best known for his albums The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, So Runs the World Away, and Gathering.

Josh Allen is a professional football player best known for being the quarterback for the Buffalo Bills.

Josh Radnor is an actor and filmmaker best known for How I Met Your Mother, Liberal Arts, and Happythankyoumoreplease.

Josh McDaniels is a football coach best known for his work with the New England Patriots and as head coach of the Denver Broncos.

Fictional characters named Josh

The following list of fictional characters named Josh is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Josh Lyman is a fictional character from the TV series The West Wing. He is the Deputy Chief of Staff and a key advisor to the President, known for his intelligence and quick wit.

Josh Brolin is a fictional character from the film The Goonies. He is the older brother of Mikey and plays a crucial role in the adventure to find the treasure.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Josh, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

JakeJamesJordanJaredJessicaJulia

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Josh. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

JosephJonahJesseJaxonJasperJettJaceJulian

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Josh was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Josh has ranked as high as #746 nationally, which occurred in 1979, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Georgia.

In the past 5 years the name Josh has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Josh is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Josh was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Josh.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 96 96
2024 95 95
2023 89 89
2022 94 94
2021 100 100
2020 94 94
2019 103 103
2018 113 113
2017 129 129
2016 108 108
2015 123 123
2014 166 166
2013 152 152
2012 167 167
2011 180 180
2010 178 178
2009 205 205
2008 271 271
2007 316 316
2006 302 302
2005 266 266
2004 308 308
2003 273 273
2002 274 274
2001 246 246
2000 195 195
1999 194 194
1998 166 166
1997 189 189
1996 166 166
1995 183 183
1994 169 169
1993 186 186
1992 181 181
1991 181 181
1990 212 212
1989 213 213
1988 240 240
1987 233 233
1986 220 220
1985 248 248
1984 259 259
1983 299 299
1982 298 298
1981 347 347
1980 461 461
1979 531 531
1978 431 431
1977 383 383
1976 387 387
1975 456 456
1974 493 493
1973 401 401
1972 356 356
1971 325 325
1970 248 248
1969 193 193
1968 135 135
1967 105 105
1966 101 101
1965 105 105
1964 95 95
1963 115 115
1962 102 102
1961 132 132
1960 129 129
1959 128 128
1958 69 69
1957 53 53
1956 53 53
1955 50 50
1954 51 51
1953 58 58
1952 54 54
1951 41 41
1950 39 39
1949 46 46
1948 45 45
1947 40 40
1946 43 43
1945 34 34
1944 35 35
1943 25 25
1942 31 31
1941 31 31
1940 31 31
1939 32 32
1938 33 33
1937 38 38
1936 44 44
1935 34 34
1934 39 39
1933 30 30
1932 40 40
1931 30 30
1930 28 28
1929 36 36
1928 44 44
1927 41 41
1926 46 46
1925 45 45
1924 47 47
1923 49 49
1922 50 50
1921 36 36
1920 45 45
1919 41 41
1918 49 49
1917 42 42
1916 55 55
1915 40 40
1914 39 39
1913 37 37
1912 39 39
1911 30 30
1910 23 23
1909 21 21
1908 26 26
1907 19 19
1906 13 13
1905 17 17
1904 18 18
1903 21 21
1902 17 17
1901 18 18
1900 25 25
1899 17 17
1898 22 22
1897 21 21
1896 23 23
1895 27 27
1894 18 18
1893 16 16
1892 22 22
1891 19 19
1890 24 24
1889 22 22
1888 24 24
1887 15 15
1886 29 29
1885 23 23
1884 27 27
1883 27 27
1882 14 14
1881 22 22
1880 31 31

Top States for Josh (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
FL 14
24%
NY 10
17%
TX 10
17%
CA 10
17%
NJ 9
15%
PA 6
10%