Joshuwa
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 393 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Joshuwa is a three-syllable boy's name with a open, warm sound — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. With only 393 recorded U.S. births, it is exceptionally rare — the kind of name most people encounter for the first time when they meet your child.
Joshuwa is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Joshuwa is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a spelling variant of Joshua, from the Hebrew Yehoshua meaning 'God is salvation.' Joshua was Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land — one of the Old Testament's great military and spiritual leaders.
Joshua has ranked in the American top 5 for boys for much of the past four decades. Joshuwa represents a phonetic spelling variant — the -wa ending reflecting an alternate transcription — carrying the same powerful biblical heritage in a distinctive written form.
EtymologyShow more
Joshuwa is cataloged under the Hebrew naming tradition. Hebrew names often carry theological significance — many embed references to God, virtues, or blessings within their structure.
In the U.S., Joshuwa has been recorded as a boy's name since 1976, with 393 total births. Browse the Hebrew names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Joshuwa has 33+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1976.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 102 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 122 | — |
| 1980s | 131 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 38 | — |
The Story of Joshuwa
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1989, Joshuwa is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Joshuwa are most likely born between 1979 and 1999.
How rare is Joshuwa?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Joshuwa is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1976, peaked in the 1980s with 131 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Joshuwa by the numbers
- Would fill 8 school buses
- Meeting one Joshuwa per day would take 1.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(33 years, 1976–2008)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 10 | #7984 |
| 2007 | 8 | #9309 |
| 2006 | 9 | #8366 |
| 2005 | 11 | #6866 |
| 2004 | 11 | #6751 |
| 2003 | 6 | #10204 |
| 2002 | 18 | #4402 |
| 2001 | 14 | #5270 |
| 2000 | 15 | #4910 |
| 1999 | 13 | #5167 |
| 1998 | 12 | #5301 |
| 1997 | 9 | #6353 |
| 1996 | 13 | #4739 |
| 1995 | 10 | #5698 |
| 1994 | 10 | #5659 |
| 1993 | 12 | #4852 |
| 1992 | 16 | #3836 |
| 1991 | 14 | #4119 |
| 1990 | 13 | #4279 |
| 1989 | 22 | #2840 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1976–2008