The nameJoshua
Joshua is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is salvation". The name of the successor of Moses, it was a top 10 name in the United States from 1979 to the 2000s.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
Meaning
Joshua comes from the Hebrew Yehoshua, "Yahweh is salvation". Jesus is a form of the same name, through the Greek Iesous.
Origin
Hebrew. In the Bible, Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promised Land after the death of Moses and brings down the walls of Jericho.
History
Joshua was a Puritan name, then became very fashionable from the 1970s. It entered the American top 10 in 1979 and reached second place in England and Wales. Josh is its usual short form.
Did you know?
- In the Bible, Joshua brings down the walls of Jericho to the sound of trumpets.
- The Joshua tree of the Californian desert is said to have been named by Mormon pioneers, who saw in its branches the raised arms of the prophet.
- U2's 1987 album The Joshua Tree takes its name from the tree.
Famous people named Joshua
- Joshua, leader of the Israelites
- Joshua Reynolds, painter
- Anthony Joshua, boxer (surname)
- Josh Groban, singer
Popularity of the name Joshua
Joshua in the United States
Joshua was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 399,091 births over the decade, 32% of all recorded babies named Joshua. Its rise began around 1972, and it peaked in 1989. Half of all babies named Joshua in the United States were born before 1991. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 5,413 births a year on average, against 8,314 in the five years before.
Joshua in the United Kingdom
Joshua was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 74,019 births over the decade, 50% of all recorded babies named Joshua. Half of all babies named Joshua in the United Kingdom were born before 2006, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,441 births a year on average, against 3,071 in the five years before.
Joshua in Ireland
Joshua in France
Joshua in Belgium
Joshua in Switzerland
Joshua in Austria
Sibling names for Joshua
Names from the same generation as Joshua, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Joshua? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Joshua with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Joshua side by side with the name of your choice.
Joshua in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joshua mean?
Joshua comes from the Hebrew Yehoshua, "Yahweh is salvation". Jesus is a form of the same name, through the Greek Iesous.
What is the origin of the name Joshua?
Hebrew. In the Bible, Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promised Land after the death of Moses and brings down the walls of Jericho.
Is Joshua a girl's or a boy's name?
Joshua is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Joshua?
In 2024, Joshua was the 57th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 5,244 births.
What are good sibling names for Joshua?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Anna, Hannah, Sarah and Sara for a sister, Jordan, Jonathan, Jacob and Matthew for a brother.
Who are famous people named Joshua?
Joshua, leader of the Israelites; Joshua Reynolds, painter; Anthony Joshua, boxer (surname); Josh Groban, singer.