The name Josue is derived from the Hebrew name Yehoshua, which means "Yahweh is salvation" or "God is deliverance". It is a biblical name that can be traced back to the Old Testament. The name Yehoshua was anglicized as Joshua, and Josue is a variant spelling popularized by the Romance languages.

One of the most notable historical figures bearing this name was Josue, also known as Joshua, the successor of Moses and the leader who led the Israelites into the Promised Land of Canaan after their exodus from Egypt. The Book of Joshua in the Hebrew Bible details his life and military campaigns.

In the Middle Ages, the name Josue was relatively uncommon, but it gained popularity during the Renaissance period when interest in classical and biblical names resurfaced. One notable bearer of this name was Josué Calmet (1672-1757), a French Benedictine monk and biblical scholar known for his scholarly works on the Old Testament.

During the colonial era in Latin America, Josue became a widely used name among Spanish and Portuguese settlers. One famous figure from this period was Josué Navarro (1564-1622), a Spanish conquistador and explorer who played a significant role in the colonization of Puerto Rico.

In the 19th century, the name Josue was popular among literary figures. Josué Carducci (1835-1907) was an Italian poet and scholar who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1906 for his contribution to the renewal of Italian poetry.

Another notable figure was Josué Cámara Leret (1870-1923), a Spanish painter known for his landscapes and portraits, and a prominent member of the Valencia School of Painting.

While the name Josue has its roots in the Hebrew language and biblical history, it has been embraced by various cultures and languages over the centuries, with many notable individuals bearing this name and contributing to various fields throughout history.