Find out how popular the first name Josias has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Josias by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Josias is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 191 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Josias.

The history of the first name Josias

The name Josias originated from the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew name Yoshiyahu, which means "supported by Yahweh" or "Yahweh has healed." The name is a combination of two Hebrew words: "Yah," a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh, and "yoshia," meaning "to save" or "to help."

The name Josias appears in various ancient texts and religious scriptures, particularly in the Bible. In the Old Testament, Josias, also known as Josiah, was the name of a king of Judah who reigned from around 640 to 609 BCE. He is remembered for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh in the kingdom of Judah.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Josias can be found in the Book of Kings in the Bible, where it is mentioned that King Josias initiated the repair of the Temple in Jerusalem and the rediscovery of the Book of the Law during his reign.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Josias. One of the most famous was Josias Simler (1530-1576), a Swiss scholar and theologian who wrote extensively on geography and natural history. Another notable figure was Josias Annesley (1610-1696), an English Puritan minister and a prominent figure in the English Reformation.

In the 17th century, Josias Shute (1622-1643) was an English Puritan minister and a leader in the Westminster Assembly, a council that established the doctrinal standards for the Church of England. Josias Clerke (1640-1714) was an English writer and theologian who served as the rector of Bredfield in Suffolk.

In the 18th century, Josias Priest (1788-1853) was an American Baptist minister and abolitionist who worked to end slavery and discrimination against African Americans. He played a significant role in the establishment of several educational institutions for African Americans.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Josias throughout history, demonstrating its enduring presence across various cultures and time periods.

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

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

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