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Seth vs Josiah

Which is more popular?
Josiah is more popular than Seth today: about 5,509 US babies were given the name Josiah in 2025, compared with 0 named Seth.
SethJosiah
Meaning appointed, placed Yahweh supports
Origin hebrew hebrew
Gender Boy Boy
Pronunciation SETH joh-SY-ah
Syllables 1 3
First appeared01880
Peak year2000 (6,717)2017 (7,079)
In 202505,509
TrendVintageSteady
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Seth Josiah
18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeSethJosiah
2020s 3,548 34,599
2010s 14,671 63,132
2000s 48,161 33,258
1990s 42,213 10,916
1980s 31,129 4,406
1970s 16,584 945
1960s 3,787 173
1950s 2,101 195
1940s 852 164
1930s 612 206
1920s 874 278
1910s 642 308
1900s 181 77
1890s 168 108
1880s 270 193

What does Seth mean?

From Hebrew Shet, tied to the verb shat, 'to set, place, appoint.' Genesis 4:25 explains it through Eve's words 'God has appointed (shat) for me another child' — a biblical wordplay that is consistent with the underlying root.

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 Seth or Josiah more popular?

Josiah is more popular than Seth today: about 5,509 US babies were given the name Josiah in 2025, compared with 0 named Seth.

What is the difference between Seth and Josiah?

Seth means appointed, placed (hebrew origin), while Josiah means Yahweh supports (hebrew origin).

Which name is older, Seth or Josiah?

In US records, Seth first appears in 0 and Josiah in 1880, so Seth has the longer recorded history.