MallowbyNames

Joshawa

joh-SHAH-wah · Respelling of Joshua, of uncertain meaning; often said to mean 'Yahweh is salvation' in Hebrew.

Peak popularity
1985
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Joshawa since 1974

Babies named Joshawa per year in U.S. Social Security records.

91928198020002020Most births 1985Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1970s49
1980s226
1990s132
2000s83
2010s18
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Joshawa is a modern respelling of the classic name Joshua, first recorded in the United States in 1974. Its usage peaked modestly in 1985, the year it saw the most births, before settling into a stable but infrequent pattern. The name has never achieved significant rank or a one-in-N measure, remaining a rare choice. As a creative variant, it retains the strong biblical connections of Joshua while offering a distinctive spelling that appeals to parents seeking a familiar name with a unique twist.

Joshawa is a modern English respelling of the biblical name Joshua, derived from the Hebrew Yehoshua. The name likely entered occasional use in the United States from the mid-20th century, reflecting a pattern of adapting familiar names with creative spellings. It has never achieved high popularity, with its peak usage recorded in 1985.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Josh

Variants: Joshua, Joshway

Sibling names for Joshawa

Names that share Joshawa's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

J is for Joshawa, our favorite little boy.

J is for Joshawa…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Joshawa's letter becomes Joshawa's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Joshawa's book

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Questions parents ask

What does the name Joshawa mean?
Joshawa is a respelling of Joshua, which is of Hebrew origin and is traditionally interpreted as 'Yahweh is salvation,' though the exact meaning is uncertain.
Is Joshawa a popular name for boys?
Joshawa has never ranked in the top 1000 names in the United States. Its highest recorded year of use was in 1985, according to Social Security data.
Is Joshawa a boy or girl name?
Joshawa is overwhelmingly used for boys, reflecting its derivation from the male name Joshua.