Josu
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 6 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. boy's names, Josu is not in the current national top 1,000. In fact, it is among the rarest names in the SSA dataset — a choice that signals bold individuality.
With records spanning 2017 to 2017, Josu has a focused history that reflects a particular moment in naming culture rather than a centuries-old tradition.
Josu is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Josu is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, the Basque form of Joshua, derived from the Hebrew Yehoshua, meaning 'God is salvation.'
In the Basque Country of northern Spain and southern France, Josu is a popular and culturally significant form of the name. It shares the same biblical resonance as Joshua — carried by the successor of Moses in the Hebrew Bible — while offering a distinctly regional identity that connects deeply to Basque language and heritage.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Josu is rooted in the Hebrew tradition, but its presence in American naming since 2017 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Josu’s rarity (6 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Josu has 1+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2017.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 6 | — |
The Story of Josu
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2017, Josu is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Josu are most likely born between 2017 and 2017.
How rare is Josu?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Josu is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2017, peaked in the 2010s with 6 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(1 years, 2017–2017)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 | #11440 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Josu a boy's or girl's name?
When was Josu most popular?
How popular is the name Josu?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2017–2017