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Josias

♂ Boy

Pronounced joh-SY-us /dʒoʊˈsaɪ.əs/High

Meaning: Latin and Greek form of Josiah, from Hebrew Yoshiyahu meaning Yahweh supports or may Yahweh heal, borne by the righteous king of Judah in the Old TestamentHigh

In 30 seconds: Josias is the classical Latin form of Josiah meaning God supports. A distinguished biblical name, it has a stately quality that sets it apart from the more common Josiah while carrying identical spiritual depth.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningLatin and Greek form of Josiah, from Hebrew Yoshiyahu meaning Yahweh supports or may Yahweh heal, borne by the righteous king of Judah in the Old Testament
U.S. rank (2025)#950 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births247 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,514

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519752025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

The name Yoshiyahu appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a king of Judah celebrated for his faithfulness to God. The Greek and Latin form Josias was used in early Christian texts and spread through Catholic and Protestant Europe.

Josias was a recognized given name in England and colonial America, where biblical names were highly valued. It is less common than Josiah today but is used by families seeking a distinguished, less-seen alternative.

Did you know? King Josiah of Judah (reigned c. 640–609 BCE) is one of the most praised rulers in the Hebrew Bible, credited with a sweeping religious reform that removed pagan shrines and re-established worship at the Temple in Jerusalem.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name — Josiah — Hebrew etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

JosiahJozias

Nicknames

JosJoss

Famous Bearers

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If you like Josias…

Josiah— direct variant sharing identical Hebrew origin and meaning
Elias— same Latin-form biblical name with the same stately classical sound
Matthias— shares the classical -ias ending and dignified New Testament register
Tobias— same Old Testament Latin form with a scholarly, vintage quality

Frequently Asked

What does the name Josias mean?

Josias is the Latin form of Josiah, from Hebrew Yoshiyahu meaning Yahweh supports or may God heal.

How do you pronounce Josias?

It is said joh-SY-us, with three syllables and stress on the second.

Is Josias the same as Josiah?

Josias is the Latin and Greek form of Josiah; they share the same Hebrew origin and meaning.

Who was Josias in the Bible?

Josias is the Latin Bible name for King Josiah of Judah, renowned for his religious reforms and devotion to God in the Old Testament.