Joshua
Joshua: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈd͡ʒɒʃ(j)ʊə/ · /ˈd͡ʒɑʃ(j)u.ə/
Meaning and origin of Joshua
- A male given name from Hebrew.
- A surname, transferred from the given name
Etymology
From Biblical Hebrew יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshúa'), perhaps from הוֹשֵׁעַ (Hoshéa') with addition of יהוה (YHWH, “Yahweh”), thus meaning "Yahweh is salvation". See הוֹשִׁיעַ (hoshía', “to save”). By cognate a direct equivalent to Jesus via Latin Iēsūs and Ancient Greek Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs) from Aramaic יֵשׁוּע (Yēšū́ʿ), akin to Hebrew יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshúa'), a variant of Yehoshúa'. The Greek Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek New Testament consistently render the two Hebrew names Yehoshúa' (whence Joshua) and Yeshúa' (whence Jeshua) into Koine Greek as Iēsoûs (whence Jesus).
How popular is Joshua?
Since 1880, 4,953 girls and 1,248,929 boys in the U.S. have been named Joshua (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #617 in 1986. Its highest rank for boys was #3 in 2002. In 2025 it ranked #66 for boys, with 4,773 babies given the name.
Names similar to Joshua
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Hebrew boy names
Sibling name ideas for Joshua
Sister and brother names that share Joshua's Hebrew roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Joshua FAQ
What does the name Joshua mean?
A male given name from Hebrew. A surname, transferred from the given name From Biblical Hebrew יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshúa'), perhaps from הוֹשֵׁעַ (Hoshéa') with addition of יהוה (YHWH, “Yahweh”), thus meaning "Yahweh is salvation". See הוֹשִׁיעַ (hoshía', “to save”). By cognate a direct equivalent to Jesus via Latin Iēsūs and Ancient Greek Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs) from Aramaic יֵשׁוּע (Yēšū́ʿ), akin to Hebrew יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshúa'), a variant of Yehoshúa'. The Greek Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek New Testament consistently render the two Hebrew names Yehoshúa' (whence Joshua) and Yeshúa' (whence Jeshua) into Koine Greek as Iēsoûs (whence Jesus).
What is the origin of the name Joshua?
Joshua is listed as a name of Hebrew origin.
How popular is the name Joshua?
Since 1880, 4,953 girls and 1,248,929 boys in the U.S. have been named Joshua (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #617 in 1986. Its highest rank for boys was #3 in 2002. In 2025 it ranked #66 for boys, with 4,773 babies given the name.
Is Joshua a boy or girl name?
Joshua is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 4,953 girls and 1,248,929 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.