Oshua first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Oshua has been for the last 12 years (from 1978 to 1989) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Oshua

A masculine name derived from the Biblical name Joshua, meaning "God is salvation" or "Yahweh is salvation".

Popularity of Oshua by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Oshua is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1989, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Oshua.

Year Male Count Female Count
1989 8 0
1988 11 0
1987 10 0
1986 14 0
1985 8 0
1983 11 0
1982 8 0
1981 7 0
1980 5 0
1979 7 0
1978 6 0

The history of the first name Oshua

The given name Oshua is of ancient Hebrew origin, with its roots traced back to the Old Testament. It is believed to be a variant spelling of the popular biblical name Joshua, derived from the Hebrew words "Yah" (meaning "God") and "hoshia" (meaning "to save" or "to deliver").

The earliest recorded instance of the name Oshua can be found in the Book of Numbers, where it is mentioned as the name of Moses' successor, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land of Canaan after their exodus from Egypt. This biblical figure, known as Joshua or Oshua, is revered in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions for his courage, leadership, and unwavering faith.

In ancient times, Oshua was a name primarily used among the Hebrew people, but as time passed, it spread to other cultures and regions. One notable historical figure bearing this name was Oshua Bartmaan, a Dutch theologian and philosopher who lived in the 16th century (1547-1626). His works on Christian theology and ethics had a significant influence on religious thought during the Reformation era.

Another prominent individual named Oshua was Oshua ibn Shuaib, an 8th-century Muslim scholar from Persia. He made significant contributions to the field of hadith studies, compiling and preserving the teachings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.

In the Middle Ages, Oshua became a popular name among European Jews, and several notable rabbis and scholars bore this name. One such figure was Oshua ben Meir, a 13th-century French rabbi and tosafist, known for his commentaries on the Talmud (1268-1335).

During the Renaissance period, Oshua Cervantes, a Spanish painter and sculptor, gained recognition for his religious artworks and sculptures, particularly those depicting scenes from the Bible (1521-1593).

Lastly, in the 19th century, Oshua Wilcox was an American inventor and engineer who made significant contributions to the development of agricultural machinery, including the invention of the first practical grain drill (1810-1887).

These are just a few examples of historical figures who bore the name Oshua, highlighting its enduring presence across different cultures, religions, 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 Oshua was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Oshua first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 8, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/oshua-meaning-and-history/.

"Oshua first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/oshua-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 8 June, 2025

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

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