Jehoshua
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 14 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Only 14 babies have been named Jehoshua in recorded U.S. history. That level of rarity means your child would almost certainly be the only one in their school, their workplace, and most rooms they walk into — a genuinely one-of-a-kind choice.
Jehoshua is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Jehoshua is a Hebrew variant spelling of Joshua — the full, ancient form of the name that means "God is salvation" or "the Lord saves" (from Yehoshua). In the Hebrew scriptures, Joshua was Moses' successor who led the Israelites into Canaan.
While modern English bibles use Joshua, Jehoshua is the closer transliteration to the original Hebrew pronunciation. It's used by families who want to honor the biblical name in its most authentic form — a choice that signals deep scriptural reverence.
EtymologyShow more
Jehoshua first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1980. First appearing in the 1980s, Jehoshua emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Hebrew classification suggests a path from hebrew linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Jehoshua has 2+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1980.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 14 | #5630 | — |
The Story of Jehoshua
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1980, Jehoshua is a Gen X staple. Boys named Jehoshua are most likely born between 1980 and 1988.
How rare is Jehoshua?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Jehoshua is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1980, peaked in the 1980s with 14 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(2 years, 1980–1988)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 7 | #6065 |
| 1980 | 7 | #5194 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jehoshua a boy's or girl's name?
When was Jehoshua most popular?
How popular is the name Jehoshua?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1980–1988