Josua
Every Josua since 1971 — 773 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Josua
Josua is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1971, 773 American babies have been named Josua. Its peak came in 1987, when 50 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Josua stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Josua year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | 5 | #13,247 |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | 8 | #9,114 |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | #13,190 |
| 2016 | 5 | #13,168 |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | #13,012 |
| 2013 | 5 | #13,049 |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | 7 | #10,190 |
| 2009 | 11 | #7,452 |
| 2008 | 5 | #13,531 |
| 2007 | 13 | #6,441 |
| 2006 | 11 | #7,167 |
| 2005 | 13 | #6,039 |
| 2004 | 21 | #4,188 |
| 2003 | 16 | #4,927 |
| 2002 | 7 | #8,902 |
| 2001 | 17 | #4,587 |
| 2000 | 15 | #4,911 |
| 1995 | 16 | #3,955 |
| 1990 | 21 | #3,010 |
| 1985 | 48 | #1,423 |
| 1980 | 20 | #2,484 |
| 1975 | 15 | #2,698 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Josua in 2025?
Josua did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Josua?
773 babies have been named Josua in the United States since 1971, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Josua most popular?
Josua peaked in 1987, when 50 newborns received the name.
Is Josua a boy or girl name?
Josua is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Josua rising or falling?
Josua is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.