Joshua name meaning • 2025 rank #66
Joshua
Joshua means “god is salvation.” It has hebrew roots and ranked #66 among U.S. boy names in 2025.
Make it personal
Could Joshua be the one?
The short version
Why parents consider Joshua
Joshua is a hebrew name commonly associated with “god is salvation.” At #66 in the 2025 U.S. rankings, it combines national recognition with a little more breathing room and a balanced written form.
Faith at its center
The meaning most often associated with Joshua is “god is salvation.” That gives the name a story parents can explain without reducing it to a single definition.
Top 100 in 2025
It sits within the national Top 100 while leaving more room for distinction than the chart-leading choices.
Balanced and adaptable
Joshua has a balanced 6-letter form and a soft, open ending. It can carry either a short or substantial middle name.
What does Joshua mean?
Joshua is commonly connected with the meaning “god is salvation.” Its roots are described as hebrew. Name histories often travel across languages and generations, so spelling, pronunciation, and interpretation can differ by family or cultural tradition.
Joshua popularity over the last 10 years
Joshua moved down 31 places from 2016 to 2025. Each year and spelling is counted separately in the Social Security Administration data.
View the complete yearly rankings
| Year | U.S. rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #66 |
| 2024 | #57 |
| 2023 | #60 |
| 2022 | #60 |
| 2021 | #58 |
| 2020 | #53 |
| 2019 | #48 |
| 2018 | #40 |
| 2017 | #38 |
| 2016 | #35 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration ↗. SSA reports spellings separately and suppresses names used fewer than five times.
How Joshua looks and lives in a full name
Joshua has a balanced 6-letter form and a soft, open ending. It can carry either a short or substantial middle name.
On the 2025 list, It sits within the national Top 100 while leaving more room for distinction than the chart-leading choices. It is substantial enough to carry a short, crisp middle name. Say it with your surname, then test the initials and the version you are most likely to call across the house.
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Collections connected to Joshua
Sibling names that pair with Joshua
These are style-and-rhythm suggestions rather than popularity claims. They aim for a family set that feels connected without sounding matched.
Middle names for Joshua
Each group tests a different kind of rhythm. Try the complete name aloud with your surname before narrowing the list.
A crisp middle can create breathing room in the full name.
A familiar traditional middle gives the pairing a grounded rhythm.
A less expected middle can add character without overpowering the first name.
These are editorial sound pairings, not rules. An honor name with personal history can matter more than perfect syllable balance.
Names like Joshua
These names share parts of Joshua’s origin, familiarity, length, or rhythm while keeping their own identity.
Names near Joshua in the 2025 rankings
These names were chosen at a similar national frequency. Comparing them can help you decide whether Joshua feels comfortably familiar or more distinctive than its neighbors.
A practical final check
Before deciding on Joshua
A ranking and a meaning can start the conversation, but the right name also has to work in your family’s everyday life.
- Decide how much popularity mattersJoshua ranks #66. Compare that national position with what you hear locally, because a name can feel more or less common in a particular community.
- Confirm the cultural storyJoshua is generally connected with hebrew roots. If that heritage is part of your choice, look beyond the short definition and learn how the name is pronounced and used within that tradition.
- Run the everyday-language testSay “This is Joshua,” write it as if making an appointment, and imagine calling it from another room. Notice whether the spelling, sound, and likely nicknames still feel natural.
- Test the complete namePair Joshua with the surname, middle-name candidates, and any sibling names. Check the initials, repeated sounds, and the rhythm of the full name rather than judging the first name alone.
Thoughtful next steps
Guides to use with this profile
Frequently asked questions about Joshua
What does the name Joshua mean?
Joshua is commonly associated with “god is salvation.”
What is the origin of Joshua?
Joshua is generally described as a name with hebrew roots.
How popular is Joshua?
Joshua ranked #66 among U.S. boy names for babies born in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Is Joshua a popular baby name?
Yes. Joshua ranked #66 among U.S. boy names in 2025, placing it in the national Top 100. Local use can still feel different from the national ranking.
What middle names go with Joshua?
Short, classic, and distinctive styles can all work with Joshua. The strongest choice depends on surname rhythm, initials, and family meaning.