Find out how popular the first name Goshen has been for the last 8 years (from 2014 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Goshen by gender

Based on the last 8 years of data, Goshen is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Goshen.

The history of the first name Goshen

The name Goshen originates from the Hebrew language and can be traced back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "goshen," which means "drawing near" or "approaching." The name has a close association with the biblical land of Goshen, a fertile region in ancient Egypt where the Israelites settled during their stay in the country.

In the Bible, the Book of Genesis mentions Goshen as the land allocated to the Israelites by the Pharaoh to dwell and graze their flocks. This region was said to be suitable for their livelihood as shepherds. The name Goshen thus holds a significant place in the biblical narrative and the history of the Israelites.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Goshen can be found in the Old Testament, where it refers to the land granted to the Israelites in Egypt. However, the name's usage as a personal name is not well-documented in ancient texts.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Goshen. One of the earliest recorded examples is Goshen Given (1635-1688), an English Quaker and preacher who was known for his religious writings and sermons.

Another notable figure was Goshen Badger (1828-1888), an American politician and lawyer from Ohio. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1865 to 1867.

In more recent times, Goshen Littleton (1899-1975) was an American football player and coach. He played as a halfback for the University of Michigan and later coached at several colleges, including Western Reserve University and Ohio Wesleyan University.

Goshen Hostetler (1918-2007) was an American businessman and philanthropist from Ohio. He co-founded the manufacturing company Hostetler Furnace and helped establish the Hostetler Museum of Indian Artifacts.

Another notable figure was Goshen Faraday (1924-2001), a British scientist and engineer who made significant contributions to the field of electrical engineering. He was awarded the prestigious Faraday Medal in 1982 for his work on power generation and distribution systems.

While the name Goshen has biblical origins and historical references, its usage as a personal name has been relatively uncommon throughout history. However, it has been borne by a few individuals who left their mark in various fields, ranging from religion and politics to sports and science.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Goshen was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Goshen, please contact us.

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