MallowbyNames

Toshua

toh-SHOO-uh · Toshua is a modern coinage, likely a blend of the sounds of Joshua and other fashionable names, without a traditional etymological meaning.

Peak popularity
1977
Usually for
Girls & boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Toshua since 1970

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

4812198020002020Most births 1977GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1970s660
1980s4945
1990s1410
2000s00
2010s00
2020s00

Meaning & origin

Toshua is a modern American name first recorded in 1970, a period when inventive sound-based coinages were gaining popularity. Its peak year was 1977, but it has never been a common name, with only a handful of births in any given year. The name is used for both boys and girls, reflecting a unisex trend that grew in the late 20th century. Without traditional roots, Toshua's appeal lies in its distinctive sound, blending the familiar ending of Joshua with a fresh initial syllable. While it has not appeared in any top-state lists, its rarity makes it a unique choice for parents seeking an uncommon name.

Toshua appears to be a modern invented name, probably formed by blending elements of Joshua (a Hebrew name meaning 'the Lord is salvation') with the trendy 'To-' prefix or the sound of names like Tovia. It first appeared in U.S. records in the 1970s and saw its peak usage in 1977, but has never been common. The name is used for both boys and girls, though more frequently for boys.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Tosh, T.J., Shu

Sibling names for Toshua

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

Sisters: Malia, Nadia, Talia, Zara, Leila

Brothers: Josiah, Elijah, Micah, Noah, Isaiah

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

T is for Toshua, our favorite little person.

T is for Toshua…”

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

Make Toshua's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does Toshua mean?
Toshua is a modern invented name with no traditional meaning; it likely combines sounds from names like Joshua.
How popular is Toshua?
Toshua has never been a common name. It first appeared in 1970 and peaked in 1977, but it has not ranked in the top 1000 names in recent years.
Is Toshua a boy or girl name?
Toshua is used for both boys and girls, though it is more often given to boys.