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Josiah vs Nathaniel

Which is more popular?
Josiah is more popular than Nathaniel today: about 5,509 US babies were given the name Josiah in 2025, compared with 2,565 named Nathaniel.
JosiahNathaniel
Meaning Yahweh supports God has given
Origin hebrew hebrew
Gender Boy Boy
Pronunciation joh-SY-ah nə-THAN-yəl
Syllables 3 3
First appeared18801880
Peak year2017 (7,079)2002 (6,813)
In 20255,5092,565
TrendSteadyDeclining
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Josiah Nathaniel
18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeJosiahNathaniel
2020s 34,599 16,088
2010s 63,132 41,890
2000s 33,258 64,264
1990s 10,916 52,577
1980s 4,406 38,652
1970s 945 19,185
1960s 173 10,191
1950s 195 12,389
1940s 164 9,489
1930s 206 7,411
1920s 278 7,794
1910s 308 4,795
1900s 77 1,143
1890s 108 684
1880s 193 551

What does Josiah mean?

From Hebrew Yoshiyahu, a theophoric name ending in Yah (Yahweh). Lexicons (BDB) read it 'Yah supports/supporteth'; the underlying verb (yasha) carries the sense 'save, deliver.' The popular rendering 'Yahweh heals' is common on name sites but is not supported by the root, so 'supports' is the better-attested gloss.

What does Nathaniel mean?

From Hebrew Netan'el, combining natan 'he gave/given' + el 'God' — 'God has given'. A 'gift of God' name expressed as an act: God has given (this child).

Frequently asked questions

Is Josiah or Nathaniel more popular?

Josiah is more popular than Nathaniel today: about 5,509 US babies were given the name Josiah in 2025, compared with 2,565 named Nathaniel.

What is the difference between Josiah and Nathaniel?

Josiah means Yahweh supports (hebrew origin), while Nathaniel means God has given (hebrew origin).

Which name is older, Josiah or Nathaniel?

In US records, Josiah first appears in 1880 and Nathaniel in 1880, so Josiah has the longer recorded history.

Josiah full profile More comparisons Nathaniel full profile