I'll be completely honest, as someone who used to have the name before legally changing it, I feel much better not having it anymore. People always told me it was a strong name, but I was able to prove why it really wasn't. The name was really just THAT bad, I never liked it. Growing up in a Christian household just made me hate it even further. I left the way of Christianity and legally changed my name for good reason (which is now Juno, in case anyone is wondering).
If you want to bad mouth this name because of your insecurities that's on you. For me Joshua is a fantastic name it really sounds so mature. Pity you had to bad mouth it because of your self loathing insecurities and bigotry towards Christians.
Just as the commenter below, I too have a boyfriend named Joshua. I don’t always just call him Josh or Joshua though, I call him Joshy (Joshy Poshy sometimes), Josho, Hoshea, and Yeshua but mostly just Joshua. I love to say the full three syllables of his name. Jah-SHOE-ah. Even before I met him, I have always liked Joshua. Handsome, masculine, timeless, and mature. Fits him well. You really can’t go wrong with it.
Heshel (Yiddish: העשל; Hebrew: הֶשְׁל) is a diminutive of the name Joshua (Hebrew: יְהוֹשֻׁעַ), although it's easily confused with Hirshel (Yiddish: הירשל), a diminutive of the name Hirsh (Yiddish: הירש), which is a calque of Tzvi (Hebrew: צְבִי).Similar confusion occurs with Shia (Yiddish: שיע), another diminutive of Joshua, and Shaia (Yiddish: שעיה), a diminutive of Isaiah (Hebrew: יְשַׁעְיָהוּ).
Joshua is a name that I used to not care for. It’s grown on me recently, though. It’s a pretty common name, but it’s not overused. Joshua is a pretty nice name. I also love the nickname Josh.
― Anonymous User 7/5/2022
2
This name is super cute, I think it's playful and fun.
I like it but it’s too common, I also don’t like Josh- like just say Joshua, it’s not long so there’s no reason to say Josh for short, Joshua is already short.
― Anonymous User 11/18/2021
-1
I love it on a girl, because it ends in a! A ending names on boys look so ugly, tacky and hideous. Nice girl name.
I disagree. This is so ridiculous in my opinion, using it for girls. Nah. It's not feminine, but it sounds masculine to me. I don't like it for a girl because it's so tacky and ridiculous, but it's okay for a boy.
Has only one nickname, just don't like it in general.
― Anonymous User 11/2/2021
1
The only issue I have with this name is the only nickname is Josh and everyone automatically thinks you go by Josh. Much like how everyone assumes you go by Ben when your name is Benjamin.
Joshua is such a handsome name. You really can’t go wrong with this one. Quick rant: But I HATE when people say a certain masculine name has an -a ending, it’s (just) feminine. Elijah, Isaiah, Ezra, Micah, and others are male names! Is it hard to believe or something?
N611FE, an MD-11 freighter owned by FedEx Express, was named Joshua. It crashed on July 31, 1997, while operating flight 14. The name was then transferred to another MD-11 freighter, N581FE, which, unfortunately, also crashed two years later while operating as flight 87.
― Anonymous User 4/10/2021
1
I think this is also a Russian name. I have a friend named Joshua and he was born in the Ukraine.
It is a fine name, but overused in the country where I live. I know between 11-12 Joshua but one of them use that as their middle name, while the other one spell it as "Yosua".
I used to really like it but for some reason I've gone off it, don't know why though.
― Anonymous User 1/17/2021
0
Lol it's fun whenever people assume I'm a guy because of my name. They ignore the second part of my name which is "Marie". It happens every year in school from kinder until the present. I don't think I got bullied from it though. I just get the usual "Joshua is such a masculine name, what's the story why your parents chose that?" and when meeting for the first time, "Oh, I thought you were a guy." It was fun to troll the conservative parents of my friends who were girls. It's a good name and I think it isn't a bad name for girls, if you don't mind people assuming you're a guy! It's also rare for girls to have that name so it's cooler! Depending on your environment and how you think, it's livable. I still go by Joshua and rarely use the second part of my name since I'm used to it.
― Anonymous User 12/7/2020
4
Joshua Jisoo Hong, who goes by the stage name 'Joshua', is a South Korean-American vocalist in the thirteen-member South Korean boy group called 'Seventeen'. They were formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2015.
― Anonymous User 12/2/2020
2
Joshua Jisoo Hong, who goes by the stage name 'Joshua', is a South Korean-American vocalist in the thirteen-member South Korean boy group called 'Seventeen'. They were formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2015.
When I first heard this name as a kid I thought it was a girl's name because it ended in "-a", also because the "-shua" part sounded so girly to young me. I even suggested naming our female cat Joshua when my daddy got her, we named her Annette instead :)
― Anonymous User 10/7/2020
-3
It is okay but nothing special. Probably wouldn't use it due to its sheer popularity within my age group. It is an okay name but it doesn't really stand out to me. Very common here in England between the age groups of 15 and 25.
― Anonymous User 6/7/2020
2
Joshua Winstead is an American songwriter and musician. He is the bassist of the Canadian indie rock band Metric.
The name Joshua is overused and my cousin has it and I make fun of him. I just think that too many people have it, I know like 5 people with that name, and it gets old.
The name Joshua is a beautiful, masculine name and so powerful. I have never seen any Joshua whose life has been miserable because of the their name. Names have effect on the bearers. Name your son as such and your son will not be miserable in life or go wayward without coming back to God Almighty unless you are a demon. I am Joshua and I love my father for giving me that name. The name controls my life and destiny.
― Anonymous User 10/12/2019
1
I don't like this name, and I would never use it for a boy or girl. I prefer Joshiro instead, but I'm fine with Josh.
A very strong religious name which is very popular here in the UK, especially amongst teens.
― Anonymous User 7/18/2019
1
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (born Lawrence Joshua Chamberlain, September 8, 1828 – February 24, 1914) was an American college professor from the State of Maine, who volunteered during the American Civil War to join the Union Army. He became a highly respected and decorated Union officer, reaching the rank of brigadier general (and brevet major general). He is best known for his gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
― Anonymous User 5/17/2019
2
Not gonna be my favourite. Nickname Josh is overused, Joshua sounds bit too old, too religious.
― Anonymous User 4/20/2019
-5
Just because Joshua ends with an "a" doesn't mean it's feminine. Joshua is a biblical masculine name, therefore it's not the same as naming a girl Casey or Hunter. Those two names are surnames. Joshua isn't really a surname, it's a strong noble boy's name. I love it for a boy and I'm considering this name for my future son. But I'm not going to judge the name for a girl that much. Joshua's more of a boy's name and that's just my personal opinion.
I never had any strong opinions about this name until I met my angel of a boyfriend who’s named Joshua. Anyone who says anything negative about this name is objectively wrong. It’s a timeless, strong sounding name. Who cares if it’s really common? It’s common because it’s a good name. If you’re thinking of naming your kid Joshua but you’re not sure yet, this is a sign from God to do it.
Names have power; annoyingly so... too many parallels with religious stories. I try to deny it but life goes sideways. Freedom of choice? Sure you can choose to do what you want but you’ll live Hell on earth. Follow your name's nature heaven on earth... not a fan of being told what to do... not a fan of being miserable... is this real freedom? Being a Joshua can be great but you better listen...
― Anonymous User 1/3/2019
-9
Nathan Joshua Prescott is a secondary antgonist in the game "Life is Strange" by DONTNOD Entertainment.
Joshua is a nice name and I love it for a boy. Joshua is a male name that ends with an “a”, so I think it's kinda cute for a girl too, but I still think it’s more of a boy’s name than a girl’s name. It’s actually a name that ends in an “a” that sounds more masculine to me. While I respect the name for a female, I disagree about how it must be strictly feminine and used on girls only because of the “a” at the end, and typically, this would be a boy’s name on a girl rather than a girl’s name on a boy. Joshua can be used as a girl’s name too, but it will always be on the total masculine side for obvious reasons.
― Anonymous User 12/23/2018
0
Joshua Dun, drummer of the alternitive band "Twenty one pilots".
Joshua is another name I love for a boy! Despite the “a” at the end, I would never use it for a girl, unless I paired this name with a girly middle name. I’ve never met any girls with this name, so it doesn’t sound feminine so much! You’re right, we need to save some names for boys, but I only like boy names on girls paired with feminine middle names, or I would just name my daughter Sophia, since there are some girl names I love. Saying all “a” ending names are ugly, unsuitable and effeminate for boys is kinda sexist! I never would have trouble naming a girl, but I want naming a boy to be just as easy. I love Joshua for a boy, for a girl it’s not too bad, but it’s still pushing it.
― Anonymous User 11/23/2018
2
Joshua is a name I see as common, but I’ve only ever met one and he was a complete jerk. I hate the name now.
― Anonymous User 11/8/2018
-5
I am writing a story and the lead male character is called Joshua. I'm kinda conflicted about this name because it sounds soft and sweet like a guy that brings a girl's mom flowers when he takes the girl out... The personality of this character is sweet on the inside but tough on the outside like the guy behind the gym that smokes cigarettes and shoots at beer cans. Does anybody know any Joshua's in real life that weren't sweet Churchman but more like school bully badass type dudes?
In 2018, 21 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Joshua who is registered male with the Social Security Administration. It is the 24th most common male first name for living U.S. citizens.
― Anonymous User 10/12/2018
1
It is a classic, strong name but just way too common for me. Where I live the average name is definitely Joshua and my school's male population is at least 10% Joshua's. Plus all the teachers name their newborns Joshua or Elijah. I go to a predominantly white Christian school, haha.
I think this name with the short form of "Josh" is absolutely beautiful for a boy. It's biblical, (which I love) and even though it has the "a" suffix, it sounds very masculine. I also think it can age very well with a child. I can see it on a 7 year old, or even a 77 year old! I love it!
I really like this name. It is a strong, handsome name. It doesn't matter that it is a popular name as there is always room in this world for a good boy/man with this masculine name.
My nephew's name is Joshua, and I absolutely love it; he shares the name with my brother-in-law, whose middle name is Josue (the Spanish variant of the same).That said, I really don't like the nickname Josh; if Auntie has any say in it, I will call him by his full name until he's at least 18 (and, even then, I still wouldn't use the nickname unless he insisted).
You need to straighten up. Joshua is a boy name. You should really change your name. I love the name Joshua and it is perfect for a boy. Any girl who is named Joshua should really consider changing it. It is not wise.
― Anonymous User 9/22/2017
1
Yes, Joshua is a masculine name. That is why I hate it. I am female and that is my name.
I wish that guys called Joshua would simply go by Joshua, as Josh is far too common a nickname. I like it as a full name, and picture a guy with dark clothes and extremely curly hair, who's sweet and sensitive, but not the slightest bit weak.
I don't like this name, it's way too trendy and sounds childish for an older man. I'm not a fan of the nickname Josh either partly because I've never met a nice one before.
― Anonymous User 3/22/2016
3
Joshua Seth Freedman (born December 2, 1970) is an American comedian, magician, entertainer and voice actor. He is best known for having voiced Tai Kamiya (Taichi Yagami in Japan) from 'Digimon Adventure' and its sequel, 'Digimon Adventure 02'.
― Anonymous User 8/16/2015
2
My wife chose the name for my son and I was contented with it. I love my son and I think Joshua is a great name.
― Anonymous User 7/26/2015
1
The Hebrew pronunciation is Yahshua and can be proved.
@LMS, No it doesn't. Elijah comes from "אֱלִיָּהוּ" means "My God is Yahweh", while Elisha comes from "אֱלִישַׁע" and means "My God is salvation" (which, in defense of Sabertooth, the same meaning as Joshua). 5 second of research is all that needed.
The utterly dreamy guitarist from The Horrors is named Joshua Hayward.
― Anonymous User 6/11/2014
1
Never underestimate this name! It's FULL of AWESOMENESS. :DD.
― Anonymous User 4/20/2014
1
From Joshua... Yahoshua. Yahoshua you will find means that Yahweh will be Salvation. For when He in the OT was Moses Minister He was not yet in the saving business they made sin offerings. When He came through the loins of Mary it was then He came to save mans souls as Yahoshua the Messiah. Thank you for your consideration for we must share that which has been given or we too are found in error.
Just thought this would be enlightening...Joshua is a Biblical given name derived from the Hebrew Yehoshua (יהושע). Although it is often etymologized as related to the root for "salvation," e.g. as "Jehovah rescues" or "Jehovah is salvation"., [1][2][4] the form of the word does not support this etymology. It is more likely Yeho-Shua, "YHWH's gift," with the same second element as Malki-Shua (1 Sam. 14:49), Bat-Shua (1 Chron. 3) and Avishua (1 Chron. 5:31).
Honestly, 'A' names are feminine! Joshua sounds so terrible and trendy. It reminds me of Johanna. I know a Joshua who can pull off that name but honestly, lets not give our boys girly names when we have already started to give our girls boy names.
Joshua is and always has been a masculine name. It doesn't sound remotely feminine, and to say names ending in "a" are only feminine is stupid. That's like saying all names ending in consonants are only masculine.
― Anonymous User 2/6/2016
9
Joshua Ryan Hutcherson (b. 1992 in Union, Kentucky) is an American actor.
― Anonymous User 4/30/2012
2
My boyfriend's name is Joshuah, and I really like this name. I think I like it better with the h on the end. I thought it was weird at first but I read these comments and I guess it's not that strange after all!
My friend is pregnant with a son to be named Joshua, due any day now. It's a good, strong name that will suit him as a child and an adult. Most of the Joshuas I know are also very good people.
Well my name really JOSHUA and I think it's a pretty cool name but it's really overused.. in my school it's like 10 Joshua's there including me. So I convince my schoolmates just call me JOSH cause I think it's a cool nickname and it makes sense to me to call that cause I have a great sense of humor, not like I tease for fun but telling jokes to everyone laugh, and BTW I'm COOL.. LOL.. So if you want this name just like it and I'm sure maybe your child named JOSHUA will be cool, cute, great sense of humor, respectful, kind, easy to love by everyone & a great friend like ME! :D
Look my name is Joshua and I hate it when people call me Josh, those of us called Joshua Josh is not our name, those are 2 different names, what makes 2 names different is their meanings, if the meaning changes it's a different name. Josh means jokester or teaser, it's not the same as Joshua. For years people had called me Josh, I was just a boy and didn't think anything of it and answered to that name, when I took an interest in my name I did some research and I realized I was always pulling pranks, teasing people and the sort, then it hit me, and from that day forward I had every one call me Joshua, when they called me Josh I would say 'that's not my name'. After that I no longer had the desire to tease people, it's not that I became bitter I just wasn't harassing people anymore.
Look I've read what everyone has to say and you all fight about its popularity, no one knows anything really about the name, one person said "Mary the mother of Jesus called him Joshua". Not true! In those days it was popular to give children 2 names a Greek name and a Hebrew name. Jesus had 2 names. Jesus is Greek for Yeshua (Hebrew) and Jesus' second name is Emanuel which is Hebrew which means 'God with us'. Joshua means 1 of 2 things 'God is my salvation' and/or 'Savior'. When you name your kid that, that what he becomes, it who he is, you're proclaiming it over him every hour of his life, it completely affects who he becomes, every name does that, that is why you should choose your child's name carefully!
Joshua Jay is an American Magician and former Champion of The World Magic Seminar, as well as a bestselling author. An inspiration to magicians everywhere, including myself. Anyone can perform magic, but it takes something special to become a magician. He makes it real.
I've always wanted to name some future son of mine with this name. And then I met the guy I'm going to marry, who happens to be named Josh, and I've never been a fan of the whole "so-n-so junior" thing. But I still love the name =) I'm just as happy marrying a guy named Josh as I am having a kid with that name.For the people who (for reasons I can't comprehend) seem to be incredibly offended by popular names. Why should a parent dismiss a name they really like, or really like the meaning of, because of its popularity?
― Anonymous User 10/6/2009
1
I never really liked this name, and the fact that about every fifth guy under the age of 30 is a Josh or Joshua makes me dislike it even more. It just has a childish sound to it, and it sounds like three harsh sounds all grating up against one another. (The original Hebrew Yehoshua sounds even harsher.) It's one of those ultra-popular names that doesn't demonstrate a lot of independent thinking, just picking something easy and common.
For me, this name is like Ava. I see it on the top of these charts and everything, yet, I've never met anyone with this name. I don't even think there's anyone in my entire school with this name.
I am sick and tired of this name. I see it EVERYWHERE. Every year more and more little Joshuas come by the dozens to my school and it's annoying. WAY overused. Can't people pick more original names? Didn't mean to offend you if you have this name.
I loathe this name because it was excessively overused. Joshuas are everywhere and you will always find two or five or more at random chosen locations.
Joshua is NOT NOT NOT pronounced "JAH-sha-wa." This atrocious mispronunciation of my name is the worst. Much worse than "JAH-shoo-ah." It is pronounced "JAH-shyou-ah." The 'u' is a true "you". If is was pronounced "JAH-sha-wa," it would be spelled Joshawa -- which, by the way, I've heard of some people actually having that spelling in which they pronounced it just that way.
I do not understand why people dislike names just because they are common. Joshua is a great name- it sounds nice and it has a wonderful meaning- like countless other names that people label negatively because they are "overused."
― Anonymous User 6/29/2008
2
One of your partners in The World Ends With You is named Yoshiya, but prefers to be called Joshua.
I'm not big on Biblical names as a concept, but the decently Anglicized ones, that is, the ones that aren't merely given an American pronunciation like those dreadful Jedediah-type names, are just fine. This is one of those names that you can't complain about, as it sounds fine on both young and older guys, and it suits guys from different backgrounds, with different looks. Sure, the name is overused, but it doesn't immediately bring unwanted children and lazy parents to mind like John and Michael do (sorry).
Josh Davis, also known as DJ Shadow. His phenomenal album Endtroducing from 1996 consisted of nothing but samples, and it's still one of my favorite albums. His music has been the equivalent of manure after the album The Private Press from 2002, though.
I AM SO SICK OF THIS NAME! And to the contrary to whatever everyone else has said about all Josh's being hot, I don't think so. Most of the Josh's in my high school are annoying freshmen who have yet to grow up or they are total band geeks. I used to like this name, but since everyone is in love with it or something, every little boy (excluding those Michael's and Jacob's) are named Joshua. Do your son a favor, find a better name.
Joshua is also a character in the anime Battle B-daman.
― Anonymous User 1/5/2008
1
To those of you saying Joshua is not overused. Are you kidding me? Its been in the top five names for over twenty years! I know so many Joshuas! I think its okay, but a little too common for my taste.
Joshua Radin is a musician who sings "Winter", "Closer", and "The Fear You Won't Fall". He is close friends with Zach Braff and his music is often played on "Scrubs".
― Anonymous User 12/23/2007
1
This name is also where the name Joshlyn comes from. So anyone out there looking for the meaning of the name Joshlyn should look here!
Joshua Scott Chasez, or better known as JC Chasez, was a member of the phenomenon *Nsync. I loved them as a kid, and still adore them.
― Anonymous User 10/14/2007
1
I love the meaning/history/and sound of the name. I do not like the nickname Josh, it is very bland and awkward to say. This name is very common. I can list twenty Josh's I know with ease. This name may be nice to recycle in a decade or so when it is less common for that age group.
― Anonymous User 10/9/2007
1
Only Jewish people and evangelical fanatics name their kids Joshua these days. It's a boring name.
I wonder if people are seriously suggesting that you can influence how sexy and attractive your baby son will grow up to be by giving him the right name. If you want him to be hot, just name him Joshua because all Joshuas are hot! This is a nice name but just too, too overused. If I meet one more Josh I'm going to scream.
Another famous bearer is Joshua Christopher, from the manga and anime 'Chrno Crusade'. (P.S. he's a sexy beast, so to that girl that says all the Joshua's she's met are sexy, it must be true. XD)
― Anonymous User 7/12/2007
1
It´s also the Czech and Slovak form. Name Day: 4th January (in the Czechia).
Joshua is what Mary called her son Jesus. Joshua means "God is with us". So though it is used often as one girl suggested and the name of many hot guys as someone else said, it is more than just an awesome name. My son is multiply handicapped and rightly named Joshua.
This is a very masculine name. I like hearing the name Joshua. Just cool sound along with a great meaning. Thanks for the earlier posts, if I ever name my son Joshua I will add the 'h' making it Joshuah because like that it is closer to the original name.
― Anonymous User 6/22/2006
0
I totally agree with the previous commenters. Every Josh I've met, whether he's a teen or parent, is HOT! And Josh has always been one of my favorite boy names. It sounds so cool!
― Anonymous User 6/16/2006
0
I think Joshua is a wonderful name and I think it is NOT overused! Every Josh I have ever met have been SEXY!
― Anonymous User 6/5/2006
0
Three famous Joshuas: Josh Lucas from "A Beautiful Mind," Joshua Jackson from "Dawnson's Creek," and, of course, Josh Holloway, who plays Sawyer on "Lost." (*sigh*)
Joshua is my favourite boy's name. I would love to name my future son that, but right now it is far too common. Anyway, Joshua is still a marvellous name.
"Joshua" was a 1970 Dolly Parton song, her first single to reach #1 on the US country charts. The band U2 had an album called "The Joshua Tree" in 1987.
― Anonymous User 12/28/2005
1
My name is Oshea and it comes from the name Joshua. It is in the bible Numbers Ch. 13. Joshua had another name and Moses changed it after he and Caleb returned from the Land of Canaan.
Joshua can also be spelled Joshuah which is more inclined to be translated from the Hebrew "Yehoshua", notice the two H's. We had a Hebrew Rabi tell us that our son's name, Joshuah, was spelled the correct way.