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Nathaniel vs Josiah

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.
NathanielJosiah
Meaning God has given Yahweh supports
Origin hebrew hebrew
Gender Boy Boy
Pronunciation nə-THAN-yəl joh-SY-ah
Syllables 3 3
First appeared18801880
Peak year2002 (6,813)2017 (7,079)
In 20252,5655,509
TrendDecliningSteady
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Nathaniel Josiah
18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

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

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).

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.

Frequently asked questions

Is Nathaniel or Josiah 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 Nathaniel and Josiah?

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

Which name is older, Nathaniel or Josiah?

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

Nathaniel full profile More comparisons Josiah full profile