"God is salvation"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Josh
Pronunciation: [ j-AHSH ]
Does Josh flow with your last name?
God saves, in the most approachable form
English
American
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Classic
Strong
Traditional
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"YHWH saves"
Origin: Hebrew (Yehoshua)
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Josh
Josh is the short form of Joshua, derived from the Hebrew Yehoshua meaning YHWH is salvation or God saves, the same root as Jesus in its Greek form. Joshua was a major figure in the Hebrew Bible, chosen by Moses to lead the Israelites into Canaan. The name has been widely used in English-speaking countries since the Protestant Reformation renewed interest in Old Testament names.
Josh peaked in the US in the 1980s-90s as part of the broader popularity of Joshua, which ranked in the top 5 US names for boys from the late 1970s through 2000s. Josh as a standalone name carries a casual, approachable vibe distinct from the more formal Joshua.
In the Hebrew Bible, Joshua (Yehoshua) was Moses' devoted assistant who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. The name has since been borne by countless leaders, athletes, and cultural figures across the English-speaking world.
Historical Record
Josh first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 15,012 babies have been named Josh in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Josh is past its peak , currently ranked #1,742 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Joshua was the #1 boy name in the US from 1983 to 1990
- The name Jesus (Greek) and Joshua (Hebrew) are both derived from the same Hebrew root Yehoshua
Josh in Other Languages
Arabic
Yushaa
French
Josue
German
Josua
Hebrew
Yehoshua
Spanish
Josue
Popularity Over Time
#1,742
Current Rank
Peaked 1979
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Josh
J
Josh Hutcherson
Actor
1992
American actor known for playing Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games film series
J
Josh Groban
Musician
1981
American singer and multi-instrumentalist known for his operatic pop style
J
Joshua
Religious
Biblical leader chosen by Moses to succeed him and lead the Israelites into Canaan, central figure of the Book of Joshua
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Compare Josh with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,742
- Total SSA Count
- 95
- Cultural Origins
- English American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Josh
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Hebrew and Latin origin
"God is gracious and humble"
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Cosmo
Boy
Ancient Greek origin
"beauty, ornament"
#1,691 in US
Greysen
Boy
Old French/English origin
"descendant of Grey"
#1,875 in US
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Boy
Hebrew origin
"variant of Caleb, meaning faithful"
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Biblical Hebrew origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Josh
What does the name Josh mean?
"God is salvation" (from Hebrew). "YHWH saves" (from Hebrew (Yehoshua)). Josh is the short form of Joshua, derived from the Hebrew Yehoshua meaning YHWH is salvation or God saves, the same root as Jesus in its Greek form. Joshua was a major figure in the Hebrew Bible, chosen by Moses to lead the Israelites into Canaan. The name has been widely used in English-speaking countries since the Protestant Reformation renewed interest in Old Testament names.
What is the origin of the name Josh?
Josh has Hebrew, Hebrew (Yehoshua), English, American, and Australian origins. In Hebrew, it means "God is salvation". In Hebrew (Yehoshua), it means "YHWH saves".
Is Josh a boy or girl name?
Josh is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Josh?
Josh is pronounced j-AHSH.
How popular is the name Josh?
Josh is currently ranked #1742 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Josh?
Popular middle name pairings include Josh Michael, Josh Thomas, Josh Alexander, Josh Daniel, Josh James, and Josh Ryan.
What are good sibling names for Josh?
Names that pair well with Josh as siblings include Jake, Emma, Caleb, Hannah, Ethan, and Sarah.
How many syllables does Josh have?
Josh has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Josh a common or rare name?
Josh is an uncommon name, ranked #1742 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Josh?
About the Name Josh
Josh is a boy name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "God is salvation" in Hebrew .
Josh is currently ranked #1,742 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Josh has 1 syllable and is pronounced j-AHSH, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Josh include Joseph, Josiah, Joshua, Jose, Josue . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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