Meaning & History
Joshua ( JOSH-oo-ə) is an English and English Bible name derived from the Hebrew name Yehoshuaʿ, meaning "Yahweh is salvation." The name combines the elements yeho (referring to the Hebrew God) and yashaʿ (meaning "to save"), according to Old Testament tradition.
In the Bible, Joshua was originally named Hoshea (meaning "salvation"), but Moses gave him the name Yehoshua. He appears as Moses' assistant in Exodus and Numbers, and as one of the twelve spies sent to scout Canaan after the Exodus from Egypt (Numbers 13). After Moses' death, Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River and orchestrated the conquest of Canaan, most famously at the Battle of Jericho (Book of Joshua). The name Jesus comes from a Greek transcription of the Aramaic short form Yeshua, which was Jesus's actual name.
As an English name, Joshua came into common use after the Protestant Reformation, favored by Puritans for its biblical significance. Its nickname Josh is a common diminutive.
- Meaning: Yahweh is salvation
- Origin: Hebrew
- Type: First name (male)
- Usage: English, English Bible
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Joshua