Josh

Meaning: Yahweh is salvation
Origin: Hebrew — Short form of Joshua

Boy's name · #1703 in the US (2025) · Retro

Popularity over time

Josh reached its best rank, #300, in 1880 and ranked #1703 in 2025. About 17,000 boys have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Josh is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 6 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Josh ranks in other countries and regions.

#188 in Ireland (2025) · #208 in Scotland (2025) · #337 in Netherlands (2025) · #395 in N. Ireland (2025) · #758 in England & Wales (2025) · #799 in Canada (2025) · #925 in Ecuador (2025) · #1,197 in Switzerland (2025) · #2,144 in Sweden (2025) · #2,596 in France (2025) · #2,532 in Italy (2023) · #2,571 in Austria (2023) and 4 more.

Famous Joshes

Josh Duhamel — American actor (born 1972)
Josh Hutcherson — American actor (born 1992)
Josh Brolin — American actor (born 1968)
Josh Hartnett — American actor (born 1978)
Josh Radnor — American actor and filmmaker (born 1974)
Josh O'Connor — British actor (born 1990)
Josh Groban — American singer and actor (born 1981)
Josh Lucas — American actor (born 1971)
Josh Gad — American actor (born 1981)
Josh Charles — American actor (born 1971)

In stories & tradition

Josh Lyman — American TV character, created 1999
Josh Barrett — Home and Away (TV series)
Josh Willis — Neighbours (TV series)

What Joshes become

Among 2,527 notable people named Josh:

Sports figures appear 2.98× more often than among typical names — e.g. Josh McEachran, English footballer (born 1993).

Similar names: Josue · Dan · Joe · Dave · Johnnie · Joziah

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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