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Home › Baby Names Directory › Joshua

Joshua

♀ Girl

Pronounced JOSH-oo-uh /ˈdʒɒʃ.u.ə/High

Meaning: From the Hebrew Yehoshua, 'the Lord is salvation' (Yah, 'God,' + yasha, 'to save'). The biblical successor of Moses; strongly a boy's name, used here for a girl, which we note.Medium

In 30 seconds: A strong biblical name: Joshua means 'the Lord is salvation' (said 'JOSH-oo-uh'). Strongly a boy's name — we note the lean.
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Origin MediumHebrew
MeaningFrom the Hebrew Yehoshua, 'the Lord is salvation' (Yah, 'God,' + yasha, 'to save'). The biblical successor of Moses; strongly a boy's name, used here for a girl, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#11545 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births8 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1986
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,953

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198619682024

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

Joshua descends from the Hebrew Yehoshua, 'the Lord is salvation,' the name of Moses' successor who led Israel into the promised land. A great biblical classic; as a girl's name it is very rare — strongly a boy's name, which we note (said 'JOSH-oo-uh').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S., against overwhelming boys' use. Rare for girls, biblical, and strong.

Did you know? Joshua comes from the Hebrew for 'the Lord is salvation' — the biblical leader who succeeded Moses — a classic and strong name; used here for a girl though it is strongly a boy's name, which we note (said 'JOSH-oo-uh').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Joshua — Hebrew 'the Lord is salvation'; strongly boy-leaning

Variations

JoshuahJosuaYehoshua

Nicknames

JoshJo

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Joshua…

Josie— a like soft Jo- girl's name
Jozie— a like Jo- pick
Shua— the salvation element it shares
Jubilee— shares Joshua's Hebrew roots
Jemima— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Joshua

By themehebrewbiblicalcross-sexlean-boy

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Joshua mean?

Joshua is Hebrew for 'the Lord is salvation,' from Yehoshua.

How do you pronounce Joshua?

It's said JOSH-oo-uh /ˈdʒɒʃ.u.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Joshua a boy or girl name?

Joshua is strongly a boy's name; it is used here for a girl, which we note.

How popular is Joshua?

Joshua is very rare for girls in the U.S. and very common for boys.

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