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Joshua Boy

Popularity: #56 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationJOSH-uh / /ˈdʒɒʃ.ə/

Hebrew; English

Meaning

Hebrew: God is salvation; English: derived from Hebrew

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Joshua has its roots in the Hebrew name Yehoshua, which means "Yahweh is salvation." This name is derived from the elements "Yeho," referring to the divine name Yahweh, and "shua," meaning salvation or deliverance. The name was later shortened to Yeshua, which is the form that appears in the Greek New Testament as Iesous, ultimately leading to the Latin form Iesus. The transition into English occurred through the Old French form Josue, which was adopted into Middle English as Joshua.

Historically, Joshua is a significant biblical figure, known as the successor of Moses and the leader of the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan, as narrated in the Book of Joshua, which is part of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. This text, believed to have been composed around the 6th century BCE, recounts the Israelites' journey into the Promised Land and the establishment of their presence there. Joshua's leadership and faithfulness to God have made him a symbol of courage and divine guidance, and he is often referenced in religious teachings and literature.

The name Joshua has maintained cultural resonance through its association with themes of leadership, faith, and divine assistance. It has been embraced in various religious contexts, particularly within Judaism and Christianity, where it is often linked to notions of hope and salvation. Additionally, the name has been borne by numerous saints and historical figures, further solidifying its significance in religious and cultural narratives. The diminutive form Josh has also emerged, reflecting a more informal and familiar usage, although its historical roots remain firmly connected to the original Hebrew meaning.

Trend Summary

Joshua has consistently ranked among the top names for boys in the United States, peaking in popularity during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Josh
  • Josue

International Variants

  • Yehoshua (Hebrew)
  • Josué (Spanish)
  • Jozua (Dutch)
  • Giosuè (Italian)

Famous people named Joshua

Joshua Bell is a violinist best known for his performances with major orchestras, his Grammy Award-winning recordings, and his role as a music educator.

Joshua Jackson is an actor best known for his roles in Dawson's Creek, Fringe, and The Affair.

Joshua Radin is a singer-songwriter best known for his songs such as 'I'd Rather Be With You', 'Winter', and 'Brand New Day'.

Joshua Homme is a musician best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of Queens of the Stone Age and for his work with Eagles of Death Metal.

Joshua Malina is an actor best known for his roles in The West Wing, Sports Night, and Scandal.

Joshua Tree is a musician best known for his work in the band The Joshua Tree Project and his contributions to the music scene.

Fictional characters named Joshua

Joshua is a fictional character from the video game series The Last of Us. He is a key figure in the narrative, representing the struggles and moral dilemmas faced in a post-apocalyptic world.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Joshua was first seen in the United States in 1880. Joshua has ranked as high as #6 nationally, which occurred in 1989, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Joshua has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Joshua (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 638
13%
CA 599
12%
FL 427
9%
NY 348
7%
GA 207
4%
NC 174
4%
OH 156
3%
PA 156
3%
VA 150
3%
TN 143
3%
IL 139
3%
IN 126
3%
MA 124
2%
MD 118
2%
MI 105
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188057
188140
188250
188355
188441
188543
188655
188741
188850
188933
189024
189124
189241
189323
189424
189529
189630
189729
189839
189924
190036
190122
190217
190321
190419
190518
190627
190726
190829
190928
191044
191143
191260
191378
191487
1915136
191699
1917122
1918118
1919139
1920128
1921125
1922124
1923129
1924114
1925109
1926105
1927117
1928118
192974
193090
193194
1932111
1933102
1934106
193580
1936101
193792
193871
1939101
194090
194192
1942111
194395
1944104
194597
1946113
1947141
1948130
1949183
1950161
1951166
1952178
1953164
1954193
1955245
1956239
1957273
1958276
1959327
1960314
1961354
1962335
1963372
1964389
1965461
1966486
1967563
1968731
19691,321
19702,174
19713,649
19725,033
19738,058
197411,599
197514,566
197616,846
197722,069
197825,206
197931,125
198036,054
198139,027
198238,003
198336,688
198440,266
198542,198
198637,541
198740,004
198842,650
198944,099
199043,233
199141,226
199236,220
199333,589
199431,375
199530,720
199629,174
199728,288
199828,095
199927,264
200027,542
200126,024
200225,997
200325,103
200424,213
200523,261
200622,334
200720,667
200819,228
200917,668
201015,463
201113,796
201212,677
201311,855
201410,926
20159,847
20169,253
20178,344
20187,443
20196,625
20206,011
20215,524
20225,195
20235,064
20245,244