Josh
First Name Meaning, Usage, Popularity & Related Names
Josh is a Hebrew name meaning “the Lord is salvation”. It is a common name, overwhelmingly used for boys, with 99.99% male usage.
Meaning & Origin of the name Josh
Josh is a name of Hebrew origin that signifies the Lord is salvation. It serves as a standard diminutive of Joshua, which is rooted in the Hebrew phrase Yehoshua. The name is historically significant in the Old Testament, representing the successor to Moses.
Meaning Comments
- Riven_pking: Anywhere you go with Gen Z there will be at least 2 kids named Josh.
- Fine_caress2: Better and more mature than Joshua.
- Goldenthiefz: I only like it as a nickname for Joshua.
Gender Usage of the Name Josh
Overall Gender Classification Methodology
Josh is overwhelmingly used as a name for boys. Approximately 99.99% of recorded bearers are male. This classification is supported by extensive records and is considered highly reliable.
Popularity of the Name Josh
Note: Green bars show popularity (% of births); the violet line shows historical ranking. Data is based on official government birth records. Click any chart to view details by year and region.
Overall PopularityMethodology
Josh is listed under Common Boy Names worldwide. Its popularity is relatively consistent across the available regional markets.
| Region | Popularity | Birth Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Common | 1 in every 31K births |
| United Kingdom | Popular | 1 in every 3.1K births |
| Canada | Popular | 1 in every 5.6K births |
| Australia | Popular | 1 in every 42K births |
Ranking OverviewMethodology
Josh ranked #632 on the Popular Boys’ Names Worldwide List (2025). It rose from #974 in 2024 — an improvement of 342 places. Josh maintains a steady presence among commonly used names.
Historically, its best recorded position was #184 in 2002. Its lowest recorded position was #1,648 in 1950. Over the last 5 years (2020–2025) the name rose 217 places (from #849 to #632).
Name StyleMethodology
Josh is classified as Timeless Boy Names because it appears across 97% of recorded years, averages 296 births per year over its full timeline, and still averages 294 births per year recently.Characteristics of the Name Josh
Pronunciation & StructureMethodology
- Phonetic Source
- CMU
- Syllables
- 1 syllable — One-Syllable Boy Names
- Length
- 4 letters — Short Boy Names
- Starts with
- J — Boy Names Starting with J
- Ends with
- h — Boy Names Ending in “h”
Name AestheticMethodology
Josh is a single-syllable name that delivers an immediate and punchy phonetic impact. It is commonly associated with various figures in contemporary media and biblical tradition. Its brevity and casual nature evoke a Cute & Playful aesthetic.
Middle Names For Josh
Middle names used with JoshMethodology
Josh is most frequently used with these boy middle names: Josh Michael · Josh Randall · Josh Allen · Josh Thomas · Josh EdwardView all 174 boy middle names.
- Total 243 middle names used with Josh
- 17 girl middle names used with Josh
- 49 unisex middle names used with Josh
Middle name suggestions for JoshMethodology
Based on observed first-middle-name pattern combinations, Josh is most frequently associated with boy middle names that have 2 syllables, Strong–Weak stress pattern, 6 letters, and a starting sound of “k”.
Examples: Josh Curtis · Josh Calvin · Josh Carlos · Josh Connor · Josh Conrad. View all 255 suggested middle names.
Names Similar to Josh
Sound Like Josh Finder
Names with the exact same overall pronunciation and sound: Joshua · Josiah · Jasiah · View all 32 names
Spelled Like Josh Finder
Names with similar spelling patterns and letter sequences: Joash · Josha · Joshi · View all 7 names
Same Starting Sound Finder
Names that begin with a similar phonetic sound: James · John · Joseph · View all Top 100 names
Rhymes With Josh Finder
Names that share similar ending sounds and rhymes: Cash · Nash · Hamish · View all Top 100 names
Same Rhythm & Syllables Finder
Names with matching syllable stress and pronunciation rhythm: James · John · Charles · View all Top 100 names
Dictionary & Etymology of “Josh”
Dictionary Meaning of "Josh"Methodology
A diminutive of the male given name Joshua
Examples
- Senators Josh Hawley and Elizabeth Warren are teaming up on a bill that targets pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) as the health care industry faces growing scrutiny following last week's shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO.
A city mentioned in the Book of Mormon
More Info
How to Spell Josh in ASL
- J
- o
- s
- h
Comments on the name Josh
Community CommentsShowing 5 of 27 comments
Eq_qi7vs974
In 2018, 31 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Josh* who is registered male with the Social Security Administration. It is the 1, 746th most common male first name for living U.S. citizens. *as a first name, not a nickname.
Austin_lohr
The name Josh was given to 65 boys born in the US in 2016.
Shadowboi32
The name Josh was given to 121 boys born in the US in 2015.
Mystic_pk23
Josh Nicholson (b. 1995) is an Australian Paralympic rugby player who competed at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris. Josh Wheeler (b. 1980) is an American Paralympic rugby player who competed at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris.
Blak_azazin1
Josh, played by Joshua Dela Cruz, is Blue’s human friend on the Nick Jr. Series Blue’s Clues & You!