Boy · 3rd of 24,088
Joshua
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
1,249,012
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1989
Peak Popularity Year
44,307
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Joshua stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Joshua has Hebrew origins, meaning 'Yahweh is salvation'. It evolved through various languages, starting as Yehoshua in Hebrew and transitioning to Iesous in Greek, then Jesus in Latin, and finally Joshua in English. It is widely associated with strong leadership and has significant biblical relevance, particularly as the leader of the Israelites. It gained popularity among Christians in various historical periods and continues to be a favored choice today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɒʃuə/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Joshua comes from the Hebrew name 'Yehoshua', which means 'Yahweh is salvation'. It is a compound of 'yeho', referring to the God Yahweh, and 'shua', meaning salvation.
Meaning
Yahweh is salvation
Language Evolution
Yehoshua (Hebrew), Iesous (Greek), Jesus (Latin), Joshua (English)
Biblical Background
Joshua is a prominent figure in the Bible, known as the leader of the Israelites after Moses and the one who led them into the Promised Land.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity among Christians due to its biblical association, especially during the Reformation and in the 18th and 19th centuries in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Josh, Josue, Josiah
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Joshua remains a popular name in many countries, often associated with strong leadership and faithfulness.
Famous People
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (Union Army officer), Joshua Bell (violinist), Joshua Jackson (actor)
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 44,307 peak births in 1989
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 21 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 533rd of 7545 | 2,084 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 622nd of 6773 | 1,729 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 486th of 7552 | 4,553 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 29th of 10718 | 179,941 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4th of 16616 | 606,013 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3rd of 24088 | 357,620 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 38th of 23106 | 91,331 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1543rd of 19264 | 1,036 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 926th of 27321 | 3,096 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3408th of 35406 | 705 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 10127th of 30306 | 116 |