Yoshua Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: yo-SHOO-ah /joʊˈʃuːə/
Origin: Hebrew; Spanish
Meaning: Hebrew: God is salvation; Spanish: variant of Joshua
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Yoshua is derived from the Hebrew name יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua), which means "Yahweh is salvation." The etymology can be traced back to the Hebrew root ישע (yasha), meaning "to save" or "to deliver." This name was later Hellenized to Ἰησοῦς (Iesous) in Greek, which was then adopted into Latin as Iesus. The transition into English occurred through the Old French form Jesus, which was used in the context of the Christian faith, particularly in reference to Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity, who is believed to have lived in the 1st century CE.
Historically, the name Yoshua is significant in biblical texts, as it is associated with Joshua, the successor of Moses who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. This figure is prominent in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Book of Joshua, which recounts the conquest of Canaan.
The name's usage in religious contexts has been reinforced through various translations of the Bible, including the Septuagint and the King James Version, which popularized the name in Christian communities from the early 17th century onward. Culturally, the name Yoshua carries connotations of leadership, faith, and divine assistance, reflecting the qualities attributed to its biblical namesake.
It has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, often appearing in variations like Joshua in English and Yeshua in Aramaic. The enduring nature of the name is a testament to its deep roots in religious tradition and its symbolic representation of salvation and guidance.
Famous people named Yoshua
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U.S. Historical Usage
The name Yoshua was first seen in the United States in 1984. Yoshua has ranked as high as #1362 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, and New York. In the past 5 years the name Yoshua has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Yoshua (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 | |
| TX | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1989 | 8 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1992 | 11 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1994 | 11 |
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 2000 | 13 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 19 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2007 | 23 |
| 2008 | 27 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 24 |
| 2011 | 18 |
| 2012 | 21 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 26 |
| 2022 | 31 |
| 2023 | 28 |
| 2024 | 31 |