"the Lord heals"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Josiah
Pronunciation: [ j-ohs-EYE-uh ]
Does Josiah flow with your last name?
A righteous king's name carrying God's healing power
Hebrew
English
African American
Biblical
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Traditional
Spiritual
Classic
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Meaning & Origin
"God supports, Yahweh heals"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"fire of the Lord"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Alternative etymology
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The Story of Josiah
Josiah comes from the Hebrew Yoshiyahu, meaning God supports or Yahweh heals. King Josiah of Judah became king at just eight years old around 640 BCE and went on to implement sweeping religious reforms that transformed his nation. Most famously, during temple renovations, a lost copy of the Torah was discovered—an event that sparked a complete religious renewal. He reinstated the Passover celebration for the first time in generations, and his reign is considered a spiritual high-water mark in the Hebrew Bible.
Josiah has been rising steadily in the US since the 1990s, reaching the top 50 by the 2010s. It is part of a broader revival of Old Testament names with the -iah ending—alongside Elijah and Isaiah—that feel both ancient and contemporary at once.
King Josiah's reforms represent one of the defining moments in the formation of the Hebrew Bible itself. His rediscovery of the Law and reinstitution of Passover have made the name synonymous with spiritual renewal and righteous leadership in Jewish and Christian traditions alike.
Historical Record
Josiah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 142,003 babies have been named Josiah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Josiah is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #53 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- King Josiah became ruler of Judah at age 8, one of the youngest monarchs in biblical history
- The discovery of the Book of the Law during Josiah's temple renovations is considered a pivotal moment in the formation of the Hebrew Bible
- Josiah Bartlet, the fictional president in The West Wing, was deliberately named Josiah to evoke moral presidential gravitas
Josiah in Other Languages
Greek
Ιωσίας
French
Josias
German
Josias
Hebrew
יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ
Spanish
Josías
Portuguese
Josias
Popularity Over Time
#53
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Josiah
J
Josiah Willard Gibbs
Scientist
1839
American scientist who made foundational contributions to thermodynamics
J
Josiah Henson
Writer
1789
American-Canadian abolitionist whose life story was a primary inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin
J
Josiah Quincy
Politician
1772
American politician who served as Mayor of Boston and president of Harvard College
J
Josiah Wedgwood
Business
1730
English potter and entrepreneur, founder of the Wedgwood pottery firm
K
King Josiah
Religious
King of Judah c. 640-609 BCE, celebrated for his religious reforms and rediscovery of the Torah in the Hebrew Bible
J
Josiah Bartlet Fictional
Politician
Fictional President of the United States in NBC's The West Wing, played by Martin Sheen, known for moral leadership and ...
Fictional President of the United States in NBC's The West Wing, played by Martin Sheen, known for moral leadership and intellectual depth
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #53
- Total SSA Count
- 5,457
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew English African American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Jo
Joe
Siah
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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
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Timeless choice, 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
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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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Josiah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Josiah is also used as a girl name, ranked #13038.
View Josiah as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Josiah
What does the name Josiah mean?
"the Lord heals" (from Hebrew). "God supports, Yahweh heals" (from Hebrew). "fire of the Lord" (from Hebrew). Josiah comes from the Hebrew Yoshiyahu, meaning God supports or Yahweh heals. King Josiah of Judah became king at just eight years old around 640 BCE and went on to implement sweeping religious reforms that transformed his nation. Most famously, during temple renovations, a lost copy of the Torah was discovered—an event that sparked a complete religious renewal. He reinstated the Passover celebration for the first time in generations, and his reign is considered a spiritual high-water mark in the Hebrew Bible.
What is the origin of the name Josiah?
Josiah has Hebrew, English, and African American origins. In Hebrew, it means "the Lord heals". In Hebrew, it means "God supports, Yahweh heals". In Hebrew, it means "fire of the Lord".
Is Josiah a boy or girl name?
Josiah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #53. As a girl name, it is ranked #13038. Josiah is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Josiah?
Josiah is pronounced j-ohs-EYE-uh.
How popular is the name Josiah?
Josiah is currently ranked #53 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Josiah?
Common nicknames for Josiah include Joe and Siah.
What are good middle names for Josiah?
Popular middle name pairings include Josiah Michael, Josiah James, Josiah David, Josiah Alexander, Josiah Edward, Josiah Thomas, and Josiah William.
What are good sibling names for Josiah?
Names that pair well with Josiah as siblings include Elijah, Isaiah, Miriam, Hannah, Ezra, Naomi, and Caleb.
How many syllables does Josiah have?
Josiah has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Josiah a common or rare name?
Josiah is a very popular name, ranked #53 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to Josiah?
About the Name Josiah
Josiah is a boy name with Hebrew, English, and African American origins . The name means "the Lord heals" in Hebrew .
Is Josiah a boy or girl name? Josiah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #53 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #13,038. Josiah is more commonly used as a boy name.
Josiah is currently ranked #53 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Josiah has 3 syllables and is pronounced j-ohs-EYE-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Josiah include Jo, Joe, and Siah. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Josiah include Josias, Josiel, Josiyah . 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