The nameJosiah
Josiah is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "God supports". The name of a reforming king of Judah, it is popular in the United States.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
Meaning
Josiah comes from the Hebrew Yoshiyahu, often read as "Yahweh supports" or "Yahweh heals".
Origin
Hebrew. In the Bible, Josiah becomes king of Judah at eight years old and leads a great religious reform.
History
Josiah was a Puritan favourite and was common in colonial America, as with the potter Josiah Wedgwood in England. It came back from the 1990s in the United States, reaching the top 50.
Famous people named Josiah
- Josiah, King of Judah
- Josiah Wedgwood, potter
- Josiah Bartlet, The West Wing character
Popularity of the name Josiah
Josiah in the United States
Josiah was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 63,245 births over the decade, 44% of all recorded babies named Josiah. Its rise began around 1991, and it peaked in 2017. Half of all babies named Josiah in the United States were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 5,814 births a year on average, against 6,873 in the five years before.
Josiah in the United Kingdom
Josiah was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 1,872 births over the decade, 43% of all recorded babies named Josiah. Half of all babies named Josiah in the United Kingdom were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 225 births a year.
Sibling names for Josiah
Names from the same generation as Josiah, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Josiah? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Josiah with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Josiah side by side with the name of your choice.
Josiah in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Josiah mean?
Josiah comes from the Hebrew Yoshiyahu, often read as "Yahweh supports" or "Yahweh heals".
What is the origin of the name Josiah?
Hebrew. In the Bible, Josiah becomes king of Judah at eight years old and leads a great religious reform.
Is Josiah a girl's or a boy's name?
Josiah is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Josiah?
In 2024, Josiah was the 53rd most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 5,457 births.
What are good sibling names for Josiah?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Naomi, Eva, Genesis and Madelyn for a sister, Micah, Nolan, Wyatt and Eli for a brother.
Who are famous people named Josiah?
Josiah, King of Judah; Josiah Wedgwood, potter; Josiah Bartlet, The West Wing character.