Rising since 1985, #950 for boys today.
Popularity of Josias since 1975
Babies named Josias per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 10 |
| 1980s | 89 |
| 1990s | 275 |
| 2000s | 668 |
| 2010s | 1,245 |
| 2020s | 1,230 |
Meaning & origin
Josias is a biblical name that has seen a gradual rise in use in the United States since the 1980s. First recorded in 1975, it reached its peak rank of 950 in 2025, with approximately 1 in every 6,915 baby boys receiving the name that year. The name has been climbing steadily since 1985, though it remains relatively uncommon. Its top states include New Jersey, Maryland, and Texas, indicating a modest but geographically diverse appeal. As a Latinized form of Josiah, Josias offers a slightly more distinctive alternative to its more popular counterpart, appealing to parents seeking a name with deep Hebrew roots and a classic feel.
Josias is a Latinized form of the Hebrew name Yoshiyahu, meaning 'God supports' or 'God heals.' It appears in the Old Testament as the name of a king of Judah who implemented religious reforms. The name has been used in various European languages since the Reformation, often as a variant of Josiah.
Where Josias is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Josias” around the world
Where Josias lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jo, Jos
Sibling names for Josias
Names that share Josias's style, for a brother or sister.
