Joshwa
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 449 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Joshwa peaked during the Gen Z era, when 25 babies received this name in a single year (2004). That era was defined by globally influenced, diversity-driven naming, and Joshwa has a more concentrated history, reflecting a specific cultural moment rather than a broad generational wave.
Joshwa is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Joshwa is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a spelling variant of Joshua, meaning 'God is salvation.' Joshua was Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land, making it one of the most significant names in the Old Testament.
Joshwa's altered spelling gives a beloved biblical name a more individualized identity without changing its warm, familiar sound. Joshua has ranked in the U.S. top 10 for decades, and this variant carries all that warmth with a personal stamp.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Joshwa belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, warm ending — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Hebrew naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Hebrew names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Joshwa’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Joshwa has 37+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1975.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 30 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 179 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 88 | — |
| 1980s | 97 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 55 | — |
The Story of Joshwa
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2004, Joshwa is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Joshwa are most likely born between 1994 and 2014.
How rare is Joshwa?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Joshwa is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1975, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2000s with 179 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Joshwa by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Joshwa per day would take 1.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(37 years, 1975–2017)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 | #13183 |
| 2012 | 6 | #11488 |
| 2011 | 5 | #13274 |
| 2010 | 14 | #6200 |
| 2009 | 15 | #5945 |
| 2008 | 14 | #6246 |
| 2007 | 18 | #5105 |
| 2006 | 23 | #4151 |
| 2005 | 15 | #5431 |
| 2004 | 25 | #3694 |
| 2003 | 16 | #4926 |
| 2002 | 24 | #3613 |
| 2001 | 15 | #5012 |
| 2000 | 14 | #5175 |
| 1999 | 7 | #8281 |
| 1998 | 11 | #5643 |
| 1996 | 8 | #6799 |
| 1995 | 7 | #7371 |
| 1994 | 20 | #3395 |
| 1992 | 8 | #6384 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joshwa a boy's or girl's name?
When was Joshwa most popular?
How popular is the name Joshwa?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1975–2017