Boy name · Hebrew
Joshua
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: Yahweh is salvationJoshua is a boy's name that comes from Hebrew and means "Yahweh is salvation". It is used in English and Hebrew.
- Meaning
- Yahweh is salvation
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #66 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Joshua
As a boy's name, Joshua comes from Hebrew and means "Yahweh is salvation". It is used in English and Hebrew.
Meaning checked against Behind the Name. How we research names
Joshua on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Joshua on 4 lists.
“Yahweh is salvation; Hebrew. Successor of Moses who led Israel into Canaan”
From Biblical names, biblical names for boys
“God is salvation; Hebrew. Led Israel into Canaan”
From Classic boy names, classic biblical boy names
“Also the high priest who led worship after the exile”
From Priest names, biblical priest names
“God is salvation; Hebrew, the leader who followed Moses”
From Strong boy names, strong biblical boy names
How popular is Joshua?
- US rank in 2025
- #66
- 4,773 babies, 2,794 per million boys
- Best rank
- #3 in 2002
- Most babies: 44,100 in 1989
- Babies since 1880
- At least 1,248,929
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 425 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 252 per million |
| 1900s | 179 per million |
| 1910s | 139 per million |
| 1920s | 104 per million |
| 1930s | 90 per million |
| 1940s | 78 per million |
| 1950s | 110 per million |
| 1960s | 276 per million |
| 1970s | 8,496 per million |
| 1980s | 21,481 per million |
| 1990s | 16,899 per million |
| 2000s | 11,626 per million |
| 2010s | 5,652 per million |
| 2020s | 3,074 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #35 | #38 | #40 | #48 | #53 | #58 | #60 | #60 | #57 | #66 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Nicknames for Joshua
Established short forms and pet names, not made-up ones.
- Joshcommon English nickname
Other forms of Joshua
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
Names spelled like Joshua
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- JosebaBasque form of Joseph (Hebrew, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- EliasMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, boy)
- JonathanYahweh has given (Hebrew, boy)
- JoelYahweh is God (Hebrew, boy)
- ElijahMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, boy)
- ElliotMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, boy)
- ElliottMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, unisex)
- EllisMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, unisex)
- HezekiahYahweh strengthens (Hebrew, boy)
- HoseaSalvation (Hebrew, boy)
- JosiahYahweh supports (Hebrew, boy)
Middle names for Joshua
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Hebrew
- AdamMan, humankind (Hebrew, boy)
- DanielGod is my judge (Hebrew, boy)
- NoahRest, repose (Hebrew, boy)
- GabrielGod is my strength (Hebrew, boy)
- AxelMy father is peace (Hebrew, boy)
- BenjaminSon of the right hand (Hebrew, boy)
- JanGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- SamuelName of God (Hebrew, boy)
- SimonHe has heard (Hebrew, boy)
- AaronProbably Egyptian, meaning unknown; Hebrew theories say exalted (Hebrew, boy)
Joshua: common questions
What does the name Joshua mean?
Joshua comes from Hebrew and means "Yahweh is salvation". Checked against Behind the Name.
Is Joshua a boy or girl name?
Joshua is mainly a boy's name.
What are nicknames for Joshua?
Common nicknames for Joshua include Josh.
How popular is the name Joshua?
Joshua ranked #66 in the US in 2025, with 4,773 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Joshua?
Forms of Joshua with the same meaning and origin include Isaiah (English), Jesús (Spanish), Josué (Spanish) and Yehoshua (Hebrew).
What middle names go with Joshua?
Middle names that flow well with Joshua include Abel, Chase, Clark, David and Heath. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.