UK boy's name
Josua
A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh is salvation".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Josua is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Josua popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4527, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2009 to 2009. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Josua is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Josua. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Josua ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales in 2009, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 3 boys were registered as Josua.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Josua as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4527
2009
Births in 2009
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Josua mean?
The name Josua has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, with its earliest known use dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew name "Yehoshua" or "Yeshua," which means "Yahweh (God) is salvation" or "Yahweh is deliverance." The name is a combination of two Hebrew words: "Yeho" (representing the name of God) and "shua" (meaning salvation or deliverance).
One of the most notable historical references to the name Josua is found in the Bible's Old Testament. Josua, also known as Joshua, was a prominent figure in the Book of Joshua, where he is depicted as the successor to Moses and the leader who led the Israelites into the Promised Land of Canaan. His name is mentioned numerous times throughout the biblical narrative, and his story is extensively recorded in the Book of Joshua.
The earliest recorded examples of the name Josua can be traced back to biblical times, as mentioned above. However, the name has also been used throughout history by various individuals from different cultures and backgrounds.
One famous figure who bore the name Josua was Josua Stegmann, a German Lutheran theologian and hymnwriter who lived from 1588 to 1632. Another notable individual was Josua Reichert, a German engraver and printmaker who lived from 1637 to 1698.
In the field of literature, Josua Arndius, a German Lutheran theologian and writer, was known for his works, particularly his influential book "True Christianity," published in the 17th century.
Moving forward in history, Josua Zittel, a German paleontologist and geologist, made significant contributions to the study of fossils and stratigraphic geology during the 19th century (1801-1876).
Additionally, Josua Heschel, a Polish-born American rabbi and theologian, was a prominent figure in the 20th century (1907-1972). He was known for his influential writings on Jewish philosophy and his advocacy for civil rights and social justice.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Josua, showcasing its enduring presence across various cultures, time periods, and fields of endeavor.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Josua by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Josua was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4527 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Josua
- Jack 188,738
- Joshua 145,192
- James 141,878
- Joseph 102,259
- Jacob 93,754
- Jake 66,896
- Jamie 41,243
- Jordan 36,750
- Jayden 28,921
- Jude 24,156
- John 22,240
- Joe 19,164
FAQ
Josua: questions and answers
How popular is the name Josua in the UK right now?
In 2009, Josua was ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Josua most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 3 babies registered as Josua in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Josua?
A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh is salvation".
How many people are called Josua in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Josua across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.