Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Joshua
BoyHebrew· “Yahweh is salvation”
- Meaning
- Yahweh is salvation
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JAH-shoo-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #66
- US babies 2025
- 4,773
- Best rank
- #3 (2002)
- Peak year
- 1989
Meaning and origin of Joshua
Joshua is a Hebrew name that means “Yahweh is salvation”.
Joshua comes from the Hebrew Yehoshua, meaning "Yahweh is salvation". In the Bible, Joshua succeeds Moses as leader of the Israelites and leads them into Canaan, where the walls of Jericho famously fall. The name Jesus derives from a later form of the same Hebrew name, Yeshua, passed through Greek and Latin. English Protestants adopted Joshua after the Reformation, and it traveled to colonial America with the Puritans. Joshua Reynolds, the eighteenth-century portrait painter, is a well-known historical bearer. The name grew strongly in modern times and remains familiar and friendly, with Josh as the everyday nickname.
Popularity over time
Joshua 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #3 in 2002, and the most babies received it in 1989, when 44,100 were named Joshua. In 2025, 4,773 babies were named Joshua, and it ranked #66 nationally. That is 52% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #544 in 1920, #537 in 1950, #7 in 1980, #4 in 2000, #11 in 2010, and #66 in 2025. Of the 1,248,929 US boys named Joshua since records began, 32% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 329,192 babies. Since 2010, 138,127 more have been named Joshua.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Justin, Anthony, Jonathan, Kyle, and Jordan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Joshua ranked highest in Maryland, District of Columbia, and Delaware.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | #26 | 129 |
| District of Columbia | #28 | 22 |
| Delaware | #37 | 20 |
| Florida | #50 | 365 |
| New Jersey | #53 | 168 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Joshua is usually pronounced JAH-shoo-uh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with J and ends in “-ua”.
Middle names for Joshua
A few middle names that flow with Joshua: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Joshua
Similar names
Benjamin Boy
BEHN-juh-muhn
“son of the right hand” · Hebrew
#11
Gabriel Boy
GAY-bree-uhl
“God is my strength” · Hebrew
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Jonathan Boy
JAH-nuh-thuhn
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Isaiah Boy
eye-ZAY-uh
“Yahweh is salvation” · Hebrew
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Elijah Boy
ih-LY-juh
“my God is Yahweh” · Hebrew
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Mateo Boy
mah-TAY-oh
“gift of God” · Spanish
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Josiah Boy
joh-SY-uh
“Yahweh supports” · Hebrew
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Zachary Boy
ZA-kur-ee
“Yahweh remembers” · Hebrew
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Elias Boy
ih-LY-uhs
“my God is Yahweh” · Greek
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Nathaniel Boy
nuh-THAN-yuhl
“God has given” · Hebrew
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Ezekiel Boy
ih-ZEE-kee-uhl
“God strengthens” · Hebrew
#61
Malachi Boy
MAL-uh-ky
“my messenger” · Hebrew
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Lists that include Joshua
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joshua mean?
Joshua is a Hebrew name that means “Yahweh is salvation”.
What is the origin of the name Joshua?
Joshua has Hebrew roots. Joshua comes from the Hebrew Yehoshua, meaning "Yahweh is salvation".
Is Joshua a popular name?
Yes. Joshua ranked #66 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Joshua a boy or girl name?
Joshua is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Joshua?
Joshua is usually pronounced JAH-shoo-uh. 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