Joshua Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Joshua Name Meaning

Fact: Between 1983 and 2008, the name Joshua was always in the top 5 most common name in the US.

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A Deep Dive

Joshua Overview

Meaning

God is salvation, Yahweh is salvation

Gender

Boy

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew name Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ), translated as Yehoshua or Yeshua.

Religion

Christianity, Judaism

Pronunciation

/ˈdʒɑʃuə/

Popularity

Often ranked in the top 70 in USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

2 (Cooperative, Adaptable, Considerate)

Name Styles

Classic, Religious and Spiritual, Traditional, Cute

Associated Traits

Strong, faithful, reliable, leader, and resilient.

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Significant in Christianity and Judaism due to Joshua’s role in the Bible as the leader who succeeded Moses.

Name Day

December 25th
A Deep Dive

Joshua Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Yehoshua, Josue, Jesua, Josua, Iosua, Giosuè, Joshue, Yoshua, Jozua, Jehoash

Common Nicknames

Josh, Joey, Joss, Jay, Joshi

Diminutives

Jo, Sha, Jue, Jojo, Jay

Famous People

  • Joshua Bell
    (American Violinist)
  • Joshua Jackson
    (Canadian Actor)
  • Joshua Kimmich
    (German Footballer)
  • Joshua Reynolds
    (British Painter)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • "Joshua"
    (2002, Song)
  • Joshua
    ("WarGames," Movie)
  • Joshua Graham
    ("Fallout: New Vegas," Video Game)
  • Joshua
    ("The Book of Joshua," Biblical Text)

Places

  • Joshua Tree National Park
    (California, USA)
  • Joshua City
    (Texas, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Joshua?

The name Joshua means “Yahweh is salvation” or “God is salvation.” The name has a strong connection to God and the beliefs in him.

What Is the Origin of The Name Joshua?

Joshua is of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew name Yehoshua. The name has ancient roots and is prominently featured in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament.

Joshua was a significant figure who succeeded Moses as the leader of the Israelites and led them into the Promised Land. The name has been adapted into various languages and cultures over centuries.

Joshua Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Joshua in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#582021#602022#602023
Top 3 Rankings#32002#32003#32004

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Joshua

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202360
No change from 2022
5035
(-152 from 2022)
0.27496
202260
(-2 from 2021)
5187
(-326 from 2021)
0.27694
202158
(-5 from 2020)
5513
(-488 from 2020)
0.29425
202053
(-5 from 2019)
6001
(-620 from 2019)
0.32444
201948
(-8 from 2018)
6621
(-814 from 2018)
0.34453
201840
(-2 from 2017)
7435
(-907 from 2017)
0.38251
201738
(-3 from 2016)
8342
(-904 from 2016)
0.42150
201635
(-2 from 2015)
9246
(-596 from 2015)
0.45645
201533
(-8 from 2014)
9842
(-1083 from 2014)
0.48140
201425
(-4 from 2013)
10925
(-928 from 2013)
0.53313
201321
(-4 from 2012)
11853
(-821 from 2012)
0.58658
201217
(-3 from 2011)
12674
(-1119 from 2011)
0.62459
201114
(-3 from 2010)
13793
(-1668 from 2010)
0.67899
201011
(-5 from 2009)
15461
(-2203 from 2009)
0.75258
20096
(-2 from 2008)
17664
(-1561 from 2008)
0.83285
20084
No change from 2007
19225
(-1440 from 2007)
0.88171
20074
(-1 from 2006)
20665
(-1669 from 2006)
0.93293
20063
No change from 2005
22334
(-926 from 2005)
1.01872
20053
No change from 2004
23260
(-951 from 2004)
1.09338
20043
No change from 2003
24211
(-892 from 2003)
1.14562
20033
No change from 2002
25103
(-894 from 2002)
1.19472
20023
(+1 from 2001)
25997
(-27 from 2001)
1.25792
20014
No change from 2000
26024
(-1516 from 2000)
1.25817
20004
No change from 1999
27540
(+279 from 1999)
1.31876
19994
No change from 1998
27261
(-834 from 1998)
1.33698
19984
(+1 from 1997)
28095
(-193 from 1997)
1.38560
19975
No change from 1996
28288
(-885 from 1996)
1.41597
19965
No change from 1995
29173
(-1546 from 1995)
1.45594
19955
(-1 from 1994)
30719
(-655 from 1994)
1.52727
19944
No change from 1993
31374
(-2213 from 1993)
1.53919
19934
No change from 1992
33587
(-2631 from 1992)
1.62608
19924
No change from 1991
36218
(-5008 from 1991)
1.72535
19914
No change from 1990
41226
(-2004 from 1990)
1.94491
19904
No change from 1989
43230
(-868 from 1989)
2.00880
19894
No change from 1988
44098
(+1447 from 1988)
2.10393
19884
No change from 1987
42651
(+2648 from 1987)
2.13013
19874
No change from 1986
40003
(+2462 from 1986)
2.05122
19864
No change from 1985
37541
(-4658 from 1985)
1.95354
19854
No change from 1984
42199
(+1930 from 1984)
2.19283
19844
(+1 from 1983)
40269
(+3580 from 1983)
2.14573
19835
(+2 from 1982)
36689
(-1315 from 1982)
1.96873
19827
(-1 from 1981)
38004
(-1024 from 1981)
2.01380
19816
(+1 from 1980)
39028
(+2973 from 1980)
2.09560
19807
(+2 from 1979)
36055
(+4930 from 1979)
1.94392
19799
(+3 from 1978)
31125
(+5921 from 1978)
1.73754
197812
(+2 from 1977)
25204
(+3135 from 1977)
1.47512
197714
(+4 from 1976)
22069
(+5221 from 1976)
1.29107
197618
(+8 from 1975)
16848
(+2283 from 1975)
1.03198
197526
(+3 from 1974)
14565
(+2966 from 1974)
0.89774
197429
(+13 from 1973)
11599
(+3540 from 1973)
0.71149
197342
(+17 from 1972)
8059
(+3026 from 1972)
0.49943
197259
(+21 from 1971)
5033
(+1385 from 1971)
0.30065
197180
(+70 from 1970)
3648
(+1475 from 1970)
0.20067
1970150
(+47 from 1969)
2173
(+851 from 1969)
0.11408
1969197
(+74 from 1968)
1322
(+592 from 1968)
0.07227
1968271
(+43 from 1967)
730
(+167 from 1967)
0.04112
1967314
(+26 from 1966)
563
(+78 from 1966)
0.03164
1966340
(+12 from 1965)
485
(+24 from 1965)
0.02668
1965352
(+56 from 1964)
461
(+72 from 1964)
0.02433
1964408
(+8 from 1963)
389
(+17 from 1963)
0.01919
1963416
(+20 from 1962)
372
(+37 from 1962)
0.01802
1962436
(-14 from 1961)
335
(-19 from 1961)
0.01594
1961422
(+32 from 1960)
354
(+40 from 1960)
0.01641
1960454
(-13 from 1959)
314
(-13 from 1959)
0.01450
1959441
(+36 from 1958)
327
(+51 from 1958)
0.01509
1958477
(-11 from 1957)
276
(+3 from 1957)
0.01281
1957466
(+25 from 1956)
273
(+34 from 1956)
0.01247
1956491
(-20 from 1955)
239
(-6 from 1955)
0.01114
1955471
(+53 from 1954)
245
(+52 from 1954)
0.01172
1954524
(+27 from 1953)
193
(+29 from 1953)
0.00933
1953551
(-28 from 1952)
164
(-14 from 1952)
0.00819
1952523
(+7 from 1951)
178
(+12 from 1951)
0.00902
1951530
(+7 from 1950)
166
(+5 from 1950)
0.00868
1950537
(-47 from 1949)
161
(-22 from 1949)
0.00885
1949490
(+94 from 1948)
183
(+53 from 1948)
0.01016
1948584
(-16 from 1947)
130
(-11 from 1947)
0.00729
1947568
(+40 from 1946)
141
(+28 from 1946)
0.00759
1946608
(+4 from 1945)
113
(+16 from 1945)
0.00685
1945612
(-11 from 1944)
97
(-7 from 1944)
0.00707
1944601
(+54 from 1943)
104
(+9 from 1943)
0.00749
1943655
(-64 from 1942)
95
(-16 from 1942)
0.00653
1942591
(+37 from 1941)
111
(+18 from 1941)
0.00788
1941628
(-2 from 1940)
93
(+3 from 1940)
0.00741
1940626
(-57 from 1939)
90
(-11 from 1939)
0.00759
1939569
(+150 from 1938)
101
(+29 from 1938)
0.00891
1938719
(-114 from 1937)
72
(-20 from 1937)
0.00634
1937605
(-32 from 1936)
92
(-9 from 1936)
0.00841
1936573
(+90 from 1935)
101
(+21 from 1935)
0.00949
1935663
(-89 from 1934)
80
(-26 from 1934)
0.00748
1934574
(-5 from 1933)
106
(+4 from 1933)
0.00998
1933569
(-9 from 1932)
102
(-9 from 1932)
0.01000
1932560
(+51 from 1931)
111
(+17 from 1931)
0.01033
1931611
(+34 from 1930)
94
(+4 from 1930)
0.00879
1930645
(+84 from 1929)
90
(+16 from 1929)
0.00797
1929729
(-167 from 1928)
74
(-44 from 1928)
0.00668
1928562
(+7 from 1927)
118
(+1 from 1927)
0.01034
1927569
(+43 from 1926)
117
(+12 from 1926)
0.01007
1926612
(-7 from 1925)
105
(-4 from 1925)
0.00917
1925605
(-11 from 1924)
109
(-5 from 1924)
0.00947
1924594
(-55 from 1923)
114
(-15 from 1923)
0.00975
1923539
(+32 from 1922)
129
(+5 from 1922)
0.01139
1922571
(-9 from 1921)
124
(-1 from 1921)
0.01102
1921562
(-20 from 1920)
125
(-3 from 1920)
0.01098
1920542
(-39 from 1919)
128
(-11 from 1919)
0.01163
1919503
(+49 from 1918)
139
(+21 from 1918)
0.01369
1918552
(-30 from 1917)
118
(-4 from 1917)
0.01125
1917522
(+59 from 1916)
122
(+23 from 1916)
0.01272
1916581
(-109 from 1915)
99
(-37 from 1915)
0.01072
1915472
(+56 from 1914)
136
(+49 from 1914)
0.01544
1914528
(-36 from 1913)
87
(+9 from 1913)
0.01273
1913492
(+15 from 1912)
78
(+18 from 1912)
0.01455
1912507
(-61 from 1911)
60
(+17 from 1911)
0.01329
1911446
(-50 from 1910)
43
(-1 from 1910)
0.01781
1910396
(+91 from 1909)
44
(+16 from 1909)
0.02110
1909487
(-35 from 1908)
28
(-1 from 1908)
0.01583
1908452
(+5 from 1907)
29
(+3 from 1907)
0.01743
1907457
(-33 from 1906)
26
(-1 from 1906)
0.01640
1906424
(+125 from 1905)
27
(+9 from 1905)
0.01874
1905549
(-57 from 1904)
18
(-1 from 1904)
0.01257
1904492
(-41 from 1903)
19
(-2 from 1903)
0.01372
1903451
(+70 from 1902)
21
(+4 from 1902)
0.01624
1902521
(-122 from 1901)
17
(-5 from 1901)
0.01281
1901399
(-34 from 1900)
22
(-14 from 1900)
0.01903
1900365
(+11 from 1899)
36
(+12 from 1899)
0.02221
1899376
(-78 from 1898)
24
(-15 from 1898)
0.02083
1898298
(+48 from 1897)
39
(+10 from 1897)
0.02952
1897346
(+6 from 1896)
29
(-1 from 1896)
0.02378
1896352
(-12 from 1895)
30
(+1 from 1895)
0.02324
1895340
(+36 from 1894)
29
(+5 from 1894)
0.02290
1894376
(-5 from 1893)
24
(+1 from 1893)
0.01922
1893371
(-87 from 1892)
23
(-18 from 1892)
0.01900
1892284
(+65 from 1891)
41
(+17 from 1891)
0.03119
1891349
(+9 from 1890)
24
No change from 1890
0.02196
1890358
(-64 from 1889)
24
(-9 from 1889)
0.02005
1889294
(-49 from 1888)
33
(-17 from 1888)
0.02772
1888245
(+2 from 1887)
50
(+9 from 1887)
0.03849
1887247
(-19 from 1886)
41
(-14 from 1886)
0.03751
1886228
(+23 from 1885)
55
(+12 from 1885)
0.04620
1885251
(+14 from 1884)
43
(+2 from 1884)
0.03709
1884265
(-63 from 1883)
41
(-14 from 1883)
0.03340
1883202
(+33 from 1882)
55
(+5 from 1882)
0.04890
1882235
(+9 from 1881)
50
(+10 from 1881)
0.04097
1881244
(-33 from 1880)
40
(-17 from 1880)
0.03694
1880211
First SSA data recorded
57
First SSA data recorded
0.04814

American States Popularity Rankings for Joshua

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#602021#652022#622023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#532021#602022#512023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#432021#452022#432023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#462021#532022#452023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#702021#802022#732023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#542021#732022#772023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#642021#652022#962023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#842021#752022#1042023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#422021#522022#532023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#642021#542022#552023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#772021#552022#732023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#752021#812022#612023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#502021#512022#632023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#732021#892022#1162023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#712021#922022#1132023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#482021#522022#622023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#432021#442022#472023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#412021#382022#542023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1212021#1052022#932023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#712021#922022#612023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#752021#762022#462023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#982021#1062022#1112023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#382021#382022#282023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#702021#842022#702023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#822021#1152022#762023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#522021#482022#662023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#562021#962022#662023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#932021#1092022#1352023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1432021#1132022#992023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1042021#1222022#992023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#982021#622022#882023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#642021#492022#502023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#752021#712022#1032023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#622021#592022#982023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#842021#752022#912023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#602021#612022#642023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#962021#1132022#892023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#532021#902022#822023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1322021#552022#1642023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1312021#642022#1432023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#562021#1432022#1452023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#592021#292022#1102023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#392021#932022#782023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#892021#1242022#1242023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#692021#1222022#1672023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#892019#992020#1352022

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#882021#672022#872023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#742021#482022#322023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#972021#442022#492023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1132019#872020#782021

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#842019#1142020#892023

Popularity Rankings for Joshua in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Philippines

Philippines flagPhilippines#52017#52018#92020

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#452018#192019#302020

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#202019#232020#312021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#502021#292022#462023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#352021#632022#642023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#422021#692022#932023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#472021#682022#672023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#552021#722022#732023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#672021#612022#1002023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#642021#692022#712023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#962020#1202021#1542022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1012020#1182021#1412022

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#1322020#1512021

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#1582021#2222022#2012023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1662018#1622019#1952021

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1652019#1782021#1962022

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1982014#1912015#1752017

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1762018#1752019#1822020

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#2942022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#3072022#2992023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#3142021#3552022#3522023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#3382021#4592022#4462023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Joshua a Name for Boys or Girls?

Joshua is a boy name for its strong biblical and historical connections. The name is especially used in Christian communities and regions influenced by biblical traditions.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Joshua

Joshua in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Joshua Bell (Violinist, born 1967): American violinist known for his virtuosity and his role as the Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
  • Joshua Jackson (Actor, born 1978): Canadian-American actor famous for his roles in "Dawson's Creek" and "Fringe."
  • Joshua Kimmich (Footballer, born 1995): German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bayern Munich and the German national team.
  • Joshua Reynolds (Painter, 1723-1792): British painter and the first president of the Royal Academy of Arts, renowned for his portraits.
  • Joshua (2002, Song): A song by Dolly Parton from her album "Halos & Horns."
  • Joshua ("WarGames," 1983, Movie): The name of the artificial intelligence in the movie "WarGames."
  • Joshua Graham ("Fallout: New Vegas," 2010, Video Game): A character in the video game "Fallout: New Vegas," known as "The Burned Man."
  • Joshua ("The Book of Joshua," Biblical Text): A book in the Old Testament detailing the story of Joshua leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.
  • Joshua Tree National Park (California, USA): A famous national park known for its unique Joshua trees and stunning desert landscapes.
  • Joshua (Texas, USA): A city known for its community events and small-town charm in Johnson County.

Similar Names to Joshua

Sibling Names for Joshua

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Make sure to share this Joshua name with everyone and tell me all your ideas in the comment section. I’d like to hear more interesting names from you guys.
Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

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Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

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2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
  • Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

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Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

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