Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Josh
BoyEnglish, Hebrew· “short form of Joshua; God is salvation”
- Meaning
- short form of Joshua; God is salvation
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JAHSH
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,703
- US babies 2025
- 96
- Best rank
- #300 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1979
Meaning and origin of Josh
Josh is an English and Hebrew name that means “short form of Joshua; God is salvation”.
Josh began as the everyday short form of Joshua, the Hebrew Yehoshua, usually explained as God is salvation. In the Bible, Joshua succeeds Moses and leads the Israelites into Canaan, and the full name has been used by English speakers since the Protestant Reformation. The clipped form Josh became a name in its own right in the twentieth century, prized for its relaxed, approachable feel. Many parents still choose Joshua on the birth certificate and use Josh at home, which leaves room for a more formal option later. On its own, Josh sounds casual, warm and unfussy.
Popularity over time
Josh has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 92 different years. Its best national rank was #300 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1979, when 531 were named Josh. In 2025, 96 babies were named Josh, and it ranked #1,703 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,043 in 1920, #1,150 in 1950, #371 in 1980, #822 in 2000, #1,083 in 2010, and #1,703 in 2025. Of the 17,288 US boys named Josh since records began, 23% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 2,818 babies. Since 2010, 1,987 more have been named Josh.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kareem, Antwan, Kristofer, Reggie, and Kristoffer.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Josh ranked highest in Massachusetts, Florida, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #845 | 5 |
| Florida | #865 | 17 |
| New Jersey | #871 | 7 |
| New York | #1168 | 10 |
| Texas | #1702 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Josh is usually pronounced JAHSH, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with J and ends in “-sh”.
Middle names for Josh
A few middle names that flow with Josh: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Josh
Similar names
Mike Boy
MYK
“who is like God?” · English
#1,234
Ash Boy
ASH
“ash tree” · English
#1,177
Ike Boy
EYEK
“short for Isaac: he will laugh” · English
#2,460
Cash Boy
KASH
“money; also an English surname” · English
#287
Nash Boy
NASH
“at the ash tree” · English
#255
Kash Boy
KASH
“variant of Cash, an English surname” · American (modern coinage)
#286
Zack Boy
ZAK
“short for Zachary; God has remembered” · Hebrew
#1,435
Cale Boy
KAYL
“short for Caleb; also a surname” · English
#2,722
Nate Boy
NAYT
“short for Nathan or Nathaniel; gift” · English
#1,748
Gabe Boy
GAYB
“short form of Gabriel, God is my strength” · English
#4,591
Abe Boy
AYB
“short for Abraham: father of multitudes” · Hebrew
#2,207
Jack Boy
JAK
“Yahweh is gracious” · English
#15
Lists that include Josh
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Josh mean?
Josh is an English and Hebrew name that means “short form of Joshua; God is salvation”.
What is the origin of the name Josh?
Josh has English and Hebrew roots. Josh began as the everyday short form of Joshua, the Hebrew Yehoshua, usually explained as God is salvation.
Is Josh a popular name?
Not especially. Josh ranked #1,703 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Josh a boy or girl name?
Josh is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Josh?
Josh is usually pronounced JAHSH. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings