Joshua vs Liam

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Joshua

Boy #57 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"may God deliver"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Hebrew English Christian American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#57
Total SSA Count
5,244
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Josh, Jo

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Joshua →

Liam

Boy #1 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strong-willed warrior"

Origin: Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1
Total SSA Count
22,164
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Lee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Liam →

Popularity Comparison

Joshua Rank #57
Liam Rank #1

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 vs #57 for Joshua.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Joshua ___

  • Joshua Alexander
  • Joshua James
  • Joshua Michael
  • Joshua Thomas
  • Joshua David
  • Joshua Ryan

Liam ___

  • Liam James
  • Liam Alexander
  • Liam Thomas
  • Liam Michael
  • Liam Patrick
  • Liam Joseph

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Joshua

Caleb Noah Hannah Abigail Elijah

If you choose Liam

Olivia Emma Noah Charlotte Sophia

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Joshua or Liam more popular?

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 compared to Joshua at #57 in the United States.

What do Joshua and Liam mean?

Joshua means "may God deliver" (Hebrew origin). Liam means "strong-willed warrior" (Irish origin).

Are Joshua and Liam boy or girl names?

Joshua is primarily a boy name. Liam is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Joshua ← Full profile: Liam Browse all baby names