All about the name

Josha

Male

« Joshua is a Hebrew name meaning 'God is salvation', popularized by the biblical prophet who led the Israelites to the Promised Land. »

#8411 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin that means "God is salvation." In the Bible, Joshua was a major prophet who succeeded Moses as leader of the Israelites. After Moses' death, Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land, where he fought against the Canaanites and conquered several cities. The name Joshua has been popular throughout history among Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. It was borne by several important figures in history, including King Joshua of Judah (around 600 BCE), who is credited with reorganizing the kingdom's territory after it had been divided into two separate kingdoms following the death of Solomon. In modern times, the name Joshua has become increasingly popular as a given name for boys. It was among the top ten most popular names for boys in several countries during the 1990s and early 2000s, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, it remains a widely-used and well-liked name around the world. Some famous people named Joshua include Joshua Bell, an American violinist; Joshua Jackson, an American-Canadian actor best known for his role on the television series "Dawson's Creek"; and Joshua Redman, an American jazz saxophonist. The name Joshua also appears in literature, most notably as the main character in C.S. Lewis' fantasy novel "The Chronicles of Narnia.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Josha since 1880

Total births
426
Total since 1880
Peak year
1982
27 births
in 2005
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years