Joshua
Joshua first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 1989, when 44,100 boys were given the name; in 2025 there were 4,773.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Joshua popular?
Declining Joshua is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1989 peak.
| 2020s | 31,854 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 106,273 | |
| 2000s | 232,053 | |
| 1990s | 329,192 | |
| 1980s | 396,524 | |
| 1970s | 140,318 | |
| 1960s | 5,326 | |
| 1950s | 2,221 | |
| 1940s | 1,156 | |
| 1930s | 948 | |
| 1920s | 1,143 | |
| 1910s | 926 | |
| 1900s | 243 | |
| 1890s | 287 | |
| 1880s | 465 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Joshua mean?
Joshua is from the Hebrew Yehoshua, “Yahweh is salvation” — the same root that gives us Jesus. In the Bible, Joshua was the successor to Moses who led the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Nicknames for Joshua
- Josh
- Joss
Variants & spellings
- Josua
- Yehoshua
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Joshua a boy or a girl name?
Joshua is most commonly used as a boy name.
Is Joshua a popular name right now?
Joshua is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1989 peak.
How popular is the name Joshua?
In 2025, Joshua ranked #66 among boys’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Joshua most popular?
Joshua was most popular in 1989, when about 44,100 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Joshua?
Common nicknames for Joshua include Josh, Joss.