Josua first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Josua has been for the last 47 years (from 1974 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Josua

A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh is salvation".

Popularity of Josua by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Josua is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Josua.

Year Male Count Female Count
2020 8 0
2017 5 0
2016 5 0
2014 5 0
2013 5 0
2010 7 0
2009 11 0
2008 5 0
2007 13 0
2006 11 0
2005 13 0
2004 21 0
2003 16 0
2002 7 0
2001 17 0
2000 15 0
1999 11 0
1998 15 0
1997 11 0
1996 13 0
1995 16 0
1994 20 0
1993 17 0
1992 18 0
1991 26 0
1990 21 0
1989 22 0
1988 42 0
1987 50 0
1986 49 0
1985 48 0
1984 23 0
1983 33 0
1982 19 0
1981 29 0
1980 20 0
1979 21 0
1978 13 0
1977 6 0
1976 10 0
1975 15 0
1974 11 0

The history of the first name Josua

The name Josua has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, with its earliest known use dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew name "Yehoshua" or "Yeshua," which means "Yahweh (God) is salvation" or "Yahweh is deliverance." The name is a combination of two Hebrew words: "Yeho" (representing the name of God) and "shua" (meaning salvation or deliverance).

One of the most notable historical references to the name Josua is found in the Bible's Old Testament. Josua, also known as Joshua, was a prominent figure in the Book of Joshua, where he is depicted as the successor to Moses and the leader who led the Israelites into the Promised Land of Canaan. His name is mentioned numerous times throughout the biblical narrative, and his story is extensively recorded in the Book of Joshua.

The earliest recorded examples of the name Josua can be traced back to biblical times, as mentioned above. However, the name has also been used throughout history by various individuals from different cultures and backgrounds.

One famous figure who bore the name Josua was Josua Stegmann, a German Lutheran theologian and hymnwriter who lived from 1588 to 1632. Another notable individual was Josua Reichert, a German engraver and printmaker who lived from 1637 to 1698.

In the field of literature, Josua Arndius, a German Lutheran theologian and writer, was known for his works, particularly his influential book "True Christianity," published in the 17th century.

Moving forward in history, Josua Zittel, a German paleontologist and geologist, made significant contributions to the study of fossils and stratigraphic geology during the 19th century (1801-1876).

Additionally, Josua Heschel, a Polish-born American rabbi and theologian, was a prominent figure in the 20th century (1907-1972). He was known for his influential writings on Jewish philosophy and his advocacy for civil rights and social justice.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Josua, showcasing its enduring presence across various cultures, time periods, and fields of endeavor.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Josua first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 15, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/josua-meaning-and-history/.

"Josua first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/josua-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 15 May, 2025

Josua first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/josua-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.