Josiah
Josiah is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God heals; supported by Yahweh.
Origin and history
Josiah is a traditional biblical name derived from the Hebrew Yoshiyahu, meaning 'God heals' or 'supported by Yahweh.' Historically associated with a virtuous king of Judah, it saw steady usage in Puritan England and the early United States before experiencing a major revival starting in the late 20th century. Today, it remains a highly popular choice for boys in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
148,958 babies in the United States have been named Josiah since 1880. It ranks #231 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #51.
States where it is most popular
- CA (13 %)
- TX (11.6 %)
- FL (6.7 %)
- NY (5 %)
- NC (3.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 193 |
| 1890-1900 | 108 |
| 1900-1910 | 77 |
| 1910-1920 | 308 |
| 1920-1930 | 278 |
| 1930-1940 | 206 |
| 1940-1950 | 164 |
| 1950-1960 | 195 |
| 1960-1970 | 173 |
| 1970-1980 | 945 |
| 1980-1990 | 4,406 |
| 1990-2000 | 10,916 |
| 2000-2010 | 33,258 |
| 2010-2019 | 63,132 |
| 2020-2029 | 34,599 |
Famous people named Josiah
- Josiah Bartlett: Physician, Statesman
- Josiah Royce: Philosopher, Professor
Nicknames
Joe, Joey, Jo, Si
Fun facts
- In the Hebrew Bible, King Josiah instituted major religious reforms after discovering the Book of the Law in the Temple.
- After decades of moderate usage, Josiah rose rapidly in U.S. popularity during the late 1990s and 2000s.