Jossiah is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God supports" or "God upholds." It is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, which means "he will add," and the suffix "-yah," which signifies God's presence.
The name Jossiah has a rich history in the Bible. The most notable bearer of this name was King Josiah of Judah, who ruled during the 7th century BCE. He is remembered for his religious reforms and for bringing an end to idolatry in his kingdom. His story can be found in the Book of Kings in the Old Testament.
Throughout history, the name Jossiah has been used sparsely but consistently. It was not among the most popular names in any given era, yet it has managed to maintain its presence over time. This could be attributed to its biblical roots and its unique sound.
Today, Jossiah is considered a somewhat unusual but attractive name choice. While it may not be as common as other biblical names like Jacob or Joshua, it stands out due to its distinctive pronunciation and spelling. Parents who choose this name for their child likely appreciate its historical significance and its unique sound. Overall, the name Jossiah carries a sense of strength, tradition, and divine support.
The name Jossiah has been gaining popularity over the years in the United States, as indicated by the statistics from 2004 to 2023.
In 2004, there were only 9 births with the name Jossiah. However, this number began to increase steadily over time. In just two years, the number of births jumped to 10 in 2006. The following year, it dipped slightly to 5 births in 2007.
However, from 2009 onwards, we see a significant rise in the popularity of this name. There were 11 births in 2009, which doubled by 2014 with 23 births that year. The highest number of births recorded was in 2018 with an impressive 31 newborns named Jossiah.
Even during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, the name maintained its popularity with 15 and 18 births respectively. In 2022, it saw a slight increase to 19 births before dropping back down to 8 births in 2023.
Over this 19-year span, there have been a total of 297 births for the name Jossiah in the United States. This shows that while it may not be one of the most popular names, it has certainly made its mark on the baby-naming landscape during these years.