Josh
Josh is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God is salvation.
Origin and history
Josh is a diminutive of Joshua, which derives from the Hebrew name Yehoshua meaning God is salvation. While most commonly used as a nickname, Josh has long been given as an independent full name in the United States. It offers a friendly, approachable, and classic American vibe.
Popularity in the United States
17,288 babies in the United States have been named Josh since 1880. It ranks #896 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1374.
States where it is most popular
- CA (16 %)
- TX (11.7 %)
- NY (9.8 %)
- FL (7.3 %)
- GA (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 234 |
| 1890-1900 | 209 |
| 1900-1910 | 195 |
| 1910-1920 | 395 |
| 1920-1930 | 439 |
| 1930-1940 | 348 |
| 1940-1950 | 361 |
| 1950-1960 | 596 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,212 |
| 1970-1980 | 4,011 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,818 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,827 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,656 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,419 |
| 2020-2029 | 568 |
Famous people named Josh
- Josh Hutcherson: Actor, Producer
- Josh Groban: Singer, Songwriter
- Josh Brolin: Actor
Fun facts
- Although originally a short form for Joshua, Josh has been registered as an independent given name in the U.S. for over a century.
- In 2021, an internet meme led to a lighthearted gathering known as the 'Josh Fight' in Nebraska where people named Josh gathered for a pool-noodle battle.