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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Josha

Josha

β™‚ Boy

How to Pronounce Josha

Pronounced JOH-shuh /ˈdΚ’oʊ.ΚƒΙ™/Medium

Meaning: Josha is a trimmed spelling of Joshua, from the Hebrew Yehoshua, 'the Lord is salvation' or 'God saves'. Joshua was Moses's successor in the Hebrew Bible and the name of a whole book. Dropping the final u gives a shorter, softer form while keeping the parent meaning.Low

In 30 seconds: Josha is a short spelling of Joshua, from Hebrew 'the Lord is salvation'. A rare boy's name of the early nineteen-eighties (said JOH-shuh).
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Origin MediumHebrew
MeaningJosha is a trimmed spelling of Joshua, from the Hebrew Yehoshua, 'the Lord is salvation' or 'God saves'. Joshua was Moses's successor in the Hebrew Bible and the name of a whole book. Dropping the final u gives a shorter, softer form while keeping the parent meaning.
U.S. rank (2005)#12315 β†˜ Falling
2005 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1982
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 426
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Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 199019712005

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Josha shortens Joshua, one of the most enduring biblical boys' names, from the Hebrew for 'the Lord is salvation'. As Joshua surged in the late twentieth century, some families reached for briefer spellings, and Josha is one of the rarer of them. The meaning stays firmly with the parent.

It stayed uncommon, reaching only a couple dozen boys a year around 1982 while Joshua itself was common. A boy named Josha then is in his forties now.

Did you know? Joshua, the parent of Josha, means 'the Lord is salvation' and is the Hebrew name behind Jesus, both from the same root Yeshua.
Overall data confidence 50%
References - Josha / Joshua β€” Hebrew Yehoshua 'the Lord is salvation'; Josha a short spelling of Joshua

Variations

JoshuaJoshYoshuaJoshuah

Nicknames

JoshSha

Famous Bearers

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If you like Josha…

Joshuaβ€” the full parent name behind it
Joshβ€” the everyday short form of Joshua
Joashβ€” a like biblical Jo- boy's name
Josiahβ€” another Jo- biblical name of the era

Explore names like Josha

By themehebrewshortbiblical

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Josha mean?

Josha is a short form of Joshua, from the Hebrew for 'the Lord is salvation'.

How do you pronounce Josha?

It's said JOH-shuh /ˈdΚ’oʊ.ΚƒΙ™/, two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Josha a boy or girl name?

Josha is used as a boy's name.

Is Josha a popular name?

No, it has always been rare, a short spelling of Joshua seen mostly in the early nineteen-eighties.

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