Rising since 1996, #6,143 for boys today.
Popularity of Joshuan since 1989
Babies named Joshuan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 7 |
| 1990s | 34 |
| 2000s | 65 |
| 2010s | 83 |
| 2020s | 95 |
Meaning & origin
Joshuan is a modern elaboration of the classic name Joshua, first appearing in U.S. birth records in 1989. As of 2025, it ranks 6,143 nationally, an extremely rare choice with an incidence of about 1 in 122,005 births. The name has been on a rising trajectory since 1996, reaching its peak popularity in 2024, though it remains uncommon. Joshuan follows the trend of adding a suffix to a traditional name to create a distinctive variant, similar to other contemporary formations. Its uncommon status appeals to parents seeking a name that feels both familiar and unique, with the built-in nickname 'Josh' providing a practical option.
Joshuan is a contemporary elaboration of the biblical name Joshua, derived from the Hebrew Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ), meaning 'Yahweh is salvation.' The suffix -an follows a modern trend of creating distinctive variants of established names. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1989 and has seen modest use in the 21st century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Josh, J.J.
Sibling names for Joshuan
Names that share Joshuan's style, for a brother or sister.
