Find out how popular the first name Yosha has been for the last 14 years (from 1974 to 1987) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Yosha by gender

Based on the last 14 years of data, Yosha is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1987, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Yosha.

The history of the first name Yosha

The name Yosha originates from the Japanese language and culture. It is believed to have its roots in the ancient Sino-Japanese vocabulary, where it was derived from the combination of the words "yo" meaning "good" or "upright," and "sha" meaning "person" or "one who is."

In Japanese Buddhist texts and scriptures, the name Yosha is often mentioned as a reference to an upright or virtuous individual. Some scholars suggest that the name may have been used to describe enlightened beings or bodhisattvas who embodied qualities of compassion and wisdom.

The earliest recorded use of the name Yosha can be traced back to the Nara period (710-794 CE) in Japan. During this time, it was not uncommon for Buddhist monks and scholars to adopt names with spiritual or philosophical meanings, reflecting their religious and intellectual pursuits.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Yosha. One of the earliest recorded individuals was Yosha no Michizane (845-903 CE), a renowned scholar, poet, and statesman during the Heian period in Japan. He is revered for his literary contributions and is celebrated as a deity in the Shinto religion.

Another historical figure was Yosha no Akimitsu (1039-1111 CE), a prominent samurai warrior and military commander who served under the Minamoto clan during the late Heian and early Kamakura periods. He played a crucial role in the Genpei War, which established the Kamakura Shogunate.

In the realm of Buddhist philosophy, Yosha no Dōgen (1200-1253 CE) was a influential Zen Buddhist monk and founder of the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan. His teachings and writings, such as the "Shōbōgenzō," had a profound impact on the development of Zen Buddhism in the country.

During the Edo period (1603-1868 CE), Yosha no Tsunayoshi (1646-1709 CE) was a prominent daimyō (feudal lord) and the fifth Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He is remembered for his efforts to promote Confucian ethics and his strict enforcement of laws, including the famous "Shogunate Decree of 1685" aimed at protecting the treatment of animals.

In more recent times, Yosha no Masaru (1909-1988 CE) was a renowned Japanese author and playwright. He is best known for his novel "Shinjū" (Double Suicide), which explored themes of love, honor, and societal pressures in post-World War II Japan.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yosha, 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!