Joshua
BoysBest rank #4 (2008) · ranked in 15 years
With a peak of #4 in 2008, Joshua appeared in the rankings across 2008-2024.
It eased from #4 in 2008 to #100 in 2024.
It does not appear in the top ranks in the most recent data (2025).
19,256 newborns received the name Joshua in 2008, its peak year.
Joshua was most popular around 2008, making it characteristic of the 2000s generation.
Rank by year
Where Joshua is most popular
In 2025, Joshua was recorded in 49 of the 51 US jurisdictions the SSA reports on, with 4,765 births nationwide.
The largest share came from Texas at 596 births, 12.5% of the national total, where it ranked #90 that year.
By census region the name skews South, which accounts for 46.1% of Joshua births, against 16.0% Northeast, 16.9% Midwest, 21.1% West.
State rankings spread more than the national figure suggests: Joshua placed as high as #38 in Maryland and as low as #318 in West Virginia.
The 2 jurisdictions without a figure are not zeros. SSA withholds any name with fewer than 5 occurrences in a given state and year to protect privacy.
Top states, 2025
- 1Texas596 · #90 there
- 2California523 · #117 there
- 3Florida365 · #80 there
- 4New York258 · #111 there
- 5North Carolina188 · #91 there
Share by census region
- Northeast16.0%
- Midwest16.9%
- South46.1%
- West21.1%
Shares are of this name's national total, not of each state's births. SSA withholds any name under 5 occurrences per state and year. Browse all states
Frequently asked questions
- Is Joshua a popular name?
- Joshua reached a best rank of #4 in 2008 and has charted in 15 years.
- Where does Joshua rank now?
- Joshua does not appear in the top ranks in the most recent data (2025).
- Is Joshua a boy or girl name?
- It is recorded primarily as a boys' name.
- When was Joshua most popular?
- Joshua peaked around 2008.
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Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) - Popular Baby Names (national)