"may God deliver"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Joshua
Pronunciation: [ j-AHSH-oo-uh ]
Does Joshua flow with your last name?
The name that stormed Jericho and topped America's charts for a generation
Hebrew
English
Christian
American
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Joshua
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Meaning & Origin
"God is salvation, the Lord saves"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"Yahweh is deliverance"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of Joshua
Joshua derives from the Hebrew Yehoshua, meaning Yahweh is salvation or God saves. It is the Hebrew equivalent of Jesus, both names sharing the same ancient root. Joshua was Moses's military commander and successor, the man who led the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land after 40 years of wilderness wandering. His story occupies the entire Book of Joshua and represents one of the great narratives of faith, courage, and fulfillment in human history.
Joshua was the number one boys name in the US for much of the 1970s and 1980s, making it the defining name of Generation X. It remains solidly in the top 20 decades later—a perennial classic with remarkable staying power. The nickname Josh is one of the most common American male names for men born between 1970 and 1995.
Joshua's role as the leader who brought the Israelites into Canaan makes his name synonymous with fulfilled promise and courageous leadership. The phrase fighting the battle of Jericho—from the story where the walls fell at a trumpet blast and a shout—has become a universal idiom for overcoming impossible obstacles through faith.
Historical Record
Joshua first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,238,891 babies have been named Joshua in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Joshua is past its peak , currently ranked #57 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Joshua and Jesus share the same original Hebrew name—Yehoshua—reflecting the same meaning: God saves
- Joshua held the number one spot in the US Social Security baby name rankings for boys for much of the 1970s-80s
- The walls of Jericho, said to have fallen before Joshua's army, have been excavated by archaeologists and the site at Tell es-Sultan remains one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth
Joshua in Other Languages
French
Josue
German
Josua
Hebrew
יְהוֹשֻׁעַ
Italian
Giosue
Spanish
Josue
Portuguese
Josue
Popularity Over Time
#57
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2002
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Joshua
J
Josh Groban
Musician
1981
American singer-songwriter known for operatic pop ballads including You Raise Me Up and To Where You Are
J
Joshua Jackson
Actor
1978
Canadian-American actor known for Dawson's Creek and The Affair
J
Josh Brolin
Actor
1968
American actor known for Thanos in the Avengers films, No Country for Old Men, and Sicario
J
Joshua Bell
Musician
1967
American violinist and conductor considered one of the greatest violinists of his generation
J
Joshua Reynolds
Artist
1723
English painter and founder of the Royal Academy of Arts
J
Joshua (Biblical Leader)
Military
Israelite military leader and Moses's successor who led the Israelites into Canaan, hero of the Book of Joshua
C
Christopher Robin Fictional
Other
Wait—wrong entry. Joshua from Wargames (1983 film) is a famous fictional AI named Joshua, though technically the charact...
Wait—wrong entry. Joshua from Wargames (1983 film) is a famous fictional AI named Joshua, though technically the character is an AI not a person
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Compare Joshua with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #57
- Total SSA Count
- 5,244
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew English Christian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Josh
Jo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Joshua
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Joshua is also used as a girl name, ranked #16563.
View Joshua as a girl name →Similar Names
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Compare Joshua with...
Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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"strong-willed warrior"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua
What does the name Joshua mean?
"may God deliver" (from Hebrew). "God is salvation, the Lord saves" (from Hebrew). "Yahweh is deliverance" (from Biblical Hebrew). Joshua derives from the Hebrew Yehoshua, meaning Yahweh is salvation or God saves. It is the Hebrew equivalent of Jesus, both names sharing the same ancient root. Joshua was Moses's military commander and successor, the man who led the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land after 40 years of wilderness wandering. His story occupies the entire Book of Joshua and represents one of the great narratives of faith, courage, and fulfillment in human history.
What is the origin of the name Joshua?
Joshua has Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, English, Christian, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "may God deliver". In Hebrew, it means "God is salvation, the Lord saves". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "Yahweh is deliverance".
Is Joshua a boy or girl name?
Joshua is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #57. As a girl name, it is ranked #16563. Joshua is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Joshua?
Joshua is pronounced j-AHSH-oo-uh.
How popular is the name Joshua?
Joshua is currently ranked #57 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Joshua?
Common nicknames for Joshua include Josh.
What are good middle names for Joshua?
Popular middle name pairings include Joshua Alexander, Joshua James, Joshua Michael, Joshua Thomas, Joshua David, Joshua Ryan, and Joshua Lee.
What are good sibling names for Joshua?
Names that pair well with Joshua as siblings include Caleb, Noah, Hannah, Abigail, Elijah, Rachel, and Samuel.
How many syllables does Joshua have?
Joshua has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Joshua a common or rare name?
Joshua is a very popular name, ranked #57 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to Joshua?
About the Name Joshua
Joshua is a boy name with Hebrew, English, Christian, and American origins . The name means "may God deliver" in Hebrew .
Is Joshua a boy or girl name? Joshua is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #57 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #16,563. Joshua is more commonly used as a boy name.
Joshua is currently ranked #57 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Joshua has 3 syllables and is pronounced j-AHSH-oo-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Joshua include Josh and Jo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Joshua include Josh, Joshuan . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Recommended for Parents
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis