Find out how popular the first name Joshua has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Joshua by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Joshua is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Joshua being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5,035 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Joshua.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby girls were named Joshua in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Joshua

The name Joshua originated from the Hebrew language and culture, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew name "Yehoshua," which means "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh is deliverance." The name's earliest known origins can be traced back to the biblical figure Joshua, who succeeded Moses as the leader of the Israelites and played a pivotal role in the conquest of Canaan, as recorded in the Old Testament.

Joshua is a prominent name in the Bible and appears numerous times throughout the Old Testament. The Book of Joshua, one of the historical books of the Hebrew Bible, is named after the biblical figure and chronicles his life and leadership. The name also appears in other biblical texts, such as the Book of Numbers and the Book of Deuteronomy, further solidifying its significance in Judeo-Christian traditions.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Joshua can be found in the biblical account of the Israelite leader himself, who lived in the late 13th or early 12th century BCE. Throughout history, many notable individuals have borne the name Joshua, including Joshua the High Priest, who lived in the 6th century BCE and played a crucial role in the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

In later centuries, several individuals named Joshua gained prominence, such as Joshua ben Hananiah, a Jewish scholar and leader who lived in the 1st century CE and was instrumental in the development of the Mishnah. Another notable figure was Joshua ben Levi, a renowned Jewish rabbi and scholar who lived in the 3rd century CE and is known for his contribution to the Talmud.

During the Renaissance period, the name Joshua gained popularity in Europe, particularly among Protestant communities. One notable figure from this time was Joshua Barnes (1654-1712), an English scholar and writer who wrote extensively on ancient history and literature.

In more modern times, several influential individuals have borne the name Joshua, such as Joshua Lederberg (1925-2008), an American molecular biologist who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1958 for his work on bacterial genetics. Another notable figure was Joshua Nkomo (1917-1999), a Zimbabwean revolutionary and politician who played a crucial role in the struggle for independence from colonial rule.

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 Joshua was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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