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Name Lineage

    The first name Josiah

    A boy’s name from Hebrew.

    Pronounced /d͡ʒoʊˈzaɪə/ 3 syllables Male

    Meaning and origin

    Hebrew origin

    From Biblical Hebrew יֹאשִׁיָּה (yōšiyyā), יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ (yōšiyyā́hū).

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 220 boys were named Josiah, making it the 226th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2018, with 238 births (#219).

    0150300 1996200020052010201520202025
    4,204
    babies named Josiah, 1996–2025
    #226
    rank in 2025
    2018
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Josiah with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Josiah at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 5,509 boys born in the United States were named Josiah, the 54th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2017, when 7,079 were.

    04,0008,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    149,420
    babies named Josiah since 1880
    #54
    rank in 2025
    2017
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Josiah in other languages

    Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary

    Josías
    Spanish

    Nicknames and spellings

    Other spellings and forms

    Famous people named Josiah

    29 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Josiah Willard Gibbs
      American scientist (1839–1903)
    • Josiah Wedgwood
      English potter and founder of the Wedgwood company (1730–1795)
    • Josiah Royce
      American philosopher (1855–1916)
    • Josiah Warren
      American social reformer, philosopher, inventor, musician, and author (1798–1874)
    • Josiah Bartlett
      American physician and judge, signatory of the Declaration of Independence (1729–1795)
    • Josiah McCracken
      American football player, athlete and professor of medicine (1874-1962)
    • Josiah Conder
      British architect (1852-1920)
    • Josiah Latimer Clark
      British electrical engineer (1822–1898)
    • Josiah Whitney
      American geologist (1819–1896)
    • Sir Josiah Child, 1st Baronet
      English merchant and politician (1630-1699)
    • Josiah Harlan
      American mercenary and prince (1799–1871)
    • Josiah O. Wolcott
      American politician and jurist (1877-1938)

    More Hebrew boys’ names

    All 346 names of Hebrew origin

    Questions

    What does the name Josiah mean?
    From Biblical Hebrew יֹאשִׁיָּה (yōšiyyā), יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ (yōšiyyā́hū).
    What is the origin of the name Josiah?
    From Biblical Hebrew יֹאשִׁיָּה (yōšiyyā), יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ (yōšiyyā́hū).
    How popular is the name Josiah?
    In 2025, 220 boys born in England and Wales were named Josiah, ranking 226th. Its peak was 2018, with 238 births.
    Is Josiah a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 149,420 US babies named Josiah since 1880 were boys.
    When was Josiah most popular?
    2017 in the United States, when 7,079 babies were named Josiah, its highest rank at 51st.
    How do you pronounce Josiah?
    Josiah is /d͡ʒoʊˈzaɪə/, 3 syllables.
    What are other spellings of Josiah?
    Josias.