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Josh as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Josh

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The baby name Josh is a Male name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced /dʒɒʃ/ (UK), /dʒɑːʃ/ (US) — "josh".

Josh is Hebrew in Origin.

Gender: Male
Syllables: 1.0
Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: /dʒɒʃ/ (UK), /dʒɑːʃ/ (US) — "josh"

What is the meaning of the name Josh ?

The baby name Josh is a Male name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced /dʒɒʃ/ (UK), /dʒɑːʃ/ (US) — "josh".

Josh is Hebrew in Origin.

Josh is the English short form of Joshua, ultimately from Hebrew Yehoshua (later Yeshua/Jeshua), built from yeho- (the divine name YHWH) and -shua from yasha, “to save.” It thus means “Yahweh is salvation” or “God saves.” The name links etymologically to the New Testament Jesus (Greek Iēsous), though Josh remains tied to the Old Testament leader who succeeded Moses.

Joshua gained wide use in English after the Reformation, and Josh appears in 18th–19th‑century records as a familiar byname before becoming an independent given name in the late 20th century. It rose sharply in the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia from the 1980s through the early 2000s. Variants and cognates include Joshua, Yehoshua, Yeshua, Jeshua, Josué (French/Spanish/Portuguese), and Giosuè (Italian); diminutives Joshy/Joshie occur in English. Parents often choose Josh for its brisk, approachable sound while retaining a venerable biblical heritage.

Josh has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Josh

Josh Duhamel Actor · Born 1972 · United States Josh Duhamel is an American actor best known for his role as Danny McCoy on the TV show Las Vegas. He also starred in the Transformers film series and appeared in movies like Safe Haven. Joshua Bassett Actor · Born 2000 · United States Josh Bassett is an American actor and singer who gained fame for his role as Ricky Bowen in the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. He has also released music, including popular songs like 'Lie Lie Lie' and 'Only a Matter of Time.' Born in 2000, Josh has quickly become a notable figure in the entertainment industry. Josh Brolin Actor · Born 1968 · United States Josh Brolin is an American actor best known for his role as Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, including 'Avengers: Infinity War' and 'Avengers: Endgame'. He also starred in 'No Country for Old Men' and 'Deadpool 2'.
Josh Hartnett Actor · Born 1978 · United States Josh Hartnett is an American actor best known for his roles in films like 'Pearl Harbor' and 'Black Hawk Down'. He gained fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s, becoming a heartthrob with his performances in these action-packed movies. Hartnett also starred in the horror film '30 Days of Night'. Josh Radnor Actor · Born 1974 · United States Josh Radnor is an American actor best known for his role as Ted Mosby on the popular television series How I Met Your Mother. Born in 1974, he has also directed and starred in films like Happythankyoumoreplease and Liberal Arts. Josh Groban Actor · Born 1981 · United States Josh Groban is an American singer and actor, best known for his powerful baritone voice and hit songs like 'You Raise Me Up' and 'To Where You Are'. Born in 1981, he has also appeared in films and TV shows, showcasing his acting talent alongside his musical career.

Celebrity babies named Josh

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Josh Evans Ali MacGraw television actor ★★★★★ Robert Evans television actor ★★★★★

Josh – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Boys 2025 #1 — 836
Germany Boys 2015 #1 — 429
FJ 0 #4 3 374
ET 0 #6 1 246
KR 0 #8 1 201
FJ Boys 0 #10 8 603
SV Boys 0 #28 1 352
NA 0 #33 1 2,537
ID 0 #39 1 2,238
MT 0 #42 2 1,767
MO 0 #51 2 2,706
PR 0 #54 2 1,497
CM 0 #56 1 2,592
LU 0 #66 1 2,830
IN 0 #71 1 2,963
JP 0 #71 7 4,057
PH 0 #74 23 5,607
AO 0 #77 1 2,729
MV Boys 0 #79 1 3,375
SI 0 #80 1 1,612
TW 0 #80 21 4,523
CN 0 #82 5 3,857
JM 0 #88 6 3,714
QA 0 #90 11 7,011
TW Boys 0 #102 177 7,111
PH Boys 0 #104 401 11,440
GE Boys 0 #110 1 2,055
CR 0 #111 48 5,526
BN Girls 0 #114 1 5,459
OM 0 #116 6 6,215
BN Boys 0 #117 17 6,332
EC 0 #121 1 2,502
KW 0 #121 1 5,216
CY Girls 0 #125 1 3,755
ID Boys 0 #129 7 4,130
CY Boys 0 #131 1 3,473
Switzerland Boys 2024 #133 5 1,769
PA 0 #134 5 3,797
BW Boys 0 #136 14 4,685
MU 0 #136 2 3,613
LT Boys 0 #151 1 2,166
RS Boys 0 #154 1 2,277
AE 0 #157 21 10,220
PR Boys 0 #162 13 2,508
HU Boys 0 #168 7 3,954
MT Boys 0 #173 7 4,064
Sweden Boys 2022 #179 4 1,509
HR 0 #181 1 2,081
MO Boys 0 #184 40 5,842
CZ 0 #185 2 3,154
PS 0 #191 28 5,692
RU 0 #191 4 3,641
JM Boys 0 #192 81 6,876
NA Boys 0 #197 39 6,830
DK 0 #204 3 5,198
CR Boys 0 #205 418 10,188
SI Boys 0 #208 4 3,402
LU Boys 0 #209 10 4,970
BG Boys 0 #220 1 3,850
SG 0 #224 46 11,010
AL Girls 0 #227 1 4,141
IR 0 #229 3 4,221
NG 0 #229 36 5,926
GH 0 #232 12 5,396
NA Girls 0 #237 1 7,146
JP Boys 0 #239 59 7,909
BD 0 #240 2 5,992
EC Boys 0 #240 7 3,322
IL 0 #244 31 6,291
AO Boys 0 #246 4 5,568
GH Boys 0 #248 100 8,138
JP Girls 0 #249 3 6,592
PT 0 #249 2 4,161
CN Boys 0 #251 71 9,639
HR Boys 0 #259 1 3,997
MO Girls 0 #263 1 7,056
GR Boys 0 #269 5 6,912
Canada Boys 2024 #270 37 2,588
AF Boys 0 #274 1 3,535
SA 0 #279 17 10,560
TW Girls 0 #288 2 8,139
KZ Boys 0 #289 8 6,578
CZ Boys 0 #290 15 6,530
GT 0 #290 25 5,948
MY 0 #298 33 12,352
GT Boys 0 #301 185 7,625
AL Boys 0 #302 2 5,122
DK Boys 0 #308 18 7,401
HK 0 #320 29 8,483
PE 0 #322 8 6,350
PL Boys 0 #324 12 6,459
MU Boys 0 #326 32 8,477
GH Girls 0 #335 3 6,973
QA Girls 0 #335 9 15,378
JO Girls 0 #338 2 7,570
ZA 0 #344 104 14,421
PT Boys 0 #348 20 7,951
MU Girls 0 #357 6 8,539
PH Girls 0 #357 34 13,098
CN Girls 0 #358 2 8,829
SG Boys 0 #359 405 17,960
BR 0 #360 1 5,969
PL Girls 0 #364 1 5,096
JO Boys 0 #365 13 7,057
France Boys 2021 #367 21 2,865
HK Boys 0 #367 167 12,905
NL 0 #371 21 2,481
MX 0 #373 41 8,339
IL Boys 0 #386 242 10,983
PS Boys 0 #390 162 10,655
NG Boys 0 #395 949 16,906
YE 0 #396 3 8,639
BD Girls 0 #404 3 8,413
Finland Boys 0 #404 24 2,041
Germany 0 #405 33 2,542
BO 0 #406 3 6,868
UY Boys 0 #410 4 5,922
EG 0 #411 2 6,387
PA Boys 0 #411 71 9,305
Austria Boys 0 #413 30 2,180
OM Girls 0 #418 7 15,987
ZA Boys 0 #424 1,306 25,619
CL 0 #428 7 6,867
Spain 0 #433 20 2,326
MX Boys 0 #442 840 16,355
AR Boys 0 #454 14 7,628
SD Boys 0 #458 9 10,523
RU Boys 0 #465 41 12,621
CO 0 #470 11 7,768
KW Girls 0 #479 37 19,177
BH 0 #489 65 17,937
RU Girls 0 #520 4 11,913
CM Boys 0 #521 30 12,054
CR Girls 0 #523 10 11,342
IQ Girls 0 #525 1 11,303
AE Girls 0 #530 24 20,968
IR Boys 0 #531 22 10,162
GT Girls 0 #534 8 7,500
PS Girls 0 #544 4 10,981
BO Boys 0 #554 39 9,244
LY 0 #556 4 12,703
BD Boys 0 #557 20 10,045
CM Girls 0 #557 4 11,671
SG Girls 0 #561 26 18,916
QA Boys 0 #590 118 18,093
CL Boys 0 #597 69 13,390
MY Boys 0 #611 565 25,439
KW Boys 0 #630 140 18,755
LB 0 #640 19 13,263
IL Girls 0 #642 4 11,648
HK Girls 0 #643 8 16,104
IQ Boys 0 #644 24 13,071
PE Boys 0 #644 244 14,506
IN Girls 0 #646 9 13,121
BO Girls 0 #651 1 9,488
IT 0 #656 59 4,183
Germany Boys 0 #677 289 5,697
Finland Boys 2026 #678 5 3,552
NL Boys 0 #682 277 5,873
Spain Boys 0 #720 214 5,610
BR Boys 0 #721 31 12,213
NG Girls 0 #746 41 15,093
SY 0 #762 6 11,684
CO Boys 0 #768 154 15,656
OM Boys 0 #793 89 17,948
United States Boys 2024 #798 95 7,044
AE Boys 0 #810 286 22,615
TN 0 #815 15 13,765
EG Boys 0 #864 23 15,035
SA Girls 0 #876 60 25,931
IT Boys 0 #904 604 10,046
CL Girls 0 #910 6 14,098
IN Boys 0 #941 61 16,750
NL Girls 0 #943 13 5,933
MY Girls 0 #978 17 24,821
BR Girls 0 #991 2 12,708
PE Girls 0 #1,003 8 14,861
EG Girls 0 #1,009 1 14,742
MA 0 #1,086 43 20,986
ZA Girls 0 #1,107 35 25,928
SA Boys 0 #1,134 518 28,008
MX Girls 0 #1,135 49 17,781
DZ 0 #1,142 35 20,130
CO Girls 0 #1,150 3 16,140
TR 0 #1,161 51 19,440
IT Girls 0 #1,433 14 9,415

Josh is popular in 90 countries — most recent births per country:

Scotland, United Kingdom
Ireland
Canada
France
Switzerland

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People also ask about Josh

Josh is predominantly a boy's name.
Josh is a one syllable name, pronounced /dʒɒʃ/ (UK), /dʒɑːʃ/ (US) — "josh".
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Joshua, Joshy, Joshie and Joss.
Across languages, Josh has these equivalents: Yehoshua (Hebrew), Yeshua (Hebrew/Aramaic), Josué (Spanish/Portuguese/French), Giosuè (Italian), Iosua (Romanian).
Yes, very popular — Josh ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 9 countries.
Josh ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Josh's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #1 in 2015 to #1 in 2025 in Ireland.
Yes — 30 notable people named Josh are in our database, including Josh Duhamel (Actor), Joshua Bassett (Actor), Josh Brolin (Actor).
Yes — at least 1 celebrity couple has chosen Josh for their child, including Ali MacGraw and Robert Evans.