Meaning & History
Jozua is a Dutch form of the name Joshua, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yehoshuaʿ, meaning "Yahweh is salvation." The name is composed of the elements yeho, referring to the Hebrew God, and yashaʿ, meaning "to save." In the Old Testament, Joshua was a companion of Moses who succeeded him as leader of the Israelites and led the conquest of Canaan. His original name was Hoshea, later changed to Yehoshua (Joshua) by Moses.
Usage and Forms
Josua or Jozua is a male given name primarily used in Dutch-speaking regions. It is a vernacular form of Joshua, which has been widely used in English since the Protestant Reformation. Other forms include Yeshua in Biblical Hebrew, Eesa in Arabic, and Issa in Quranic contexts. The name Jesus itself derives from the Aramaic short form Yeshua.
Notable Bearers
Notable individuals named Josua or Jozua include Swiss philatelist Josua Bühler (1895–1983), Dutch draughtsman and painter Josua de Grave (1643–1712), German missionary Josua Harrsch (1669–1719), French ballet dancer Josua Hoffalt (born 1984), Finnish politician Josua Järvinen (1871–1948), Fijian rugby league footballer Josua Koroibulu (born 1982), Jewish Orthodox scholar Josua Heschel Kuttner (c. 1803–1878), Swedish-American geologist Josua Lindahl (1844–1912), Swiss pastor and lexicographer Josua Maaler (1529–1599), Fijian missionary Josua Mateinaniu (fl. 1835), Venezuelan footballer Josua Mejías (born 1997), German pipe organ builder Johann Josua Mosengel (1663–1731), several people named Jozua Naudé, South African cricketer Josua Swanepoel (born 1983), and Fijian rugby union player Josua Tuisova (born 1994).
- Meaning: "Yahweh is salvation"
- Origin: Hebrew, via Dutch adaptation of Joshua
- Type: First name
- Usage: Dutch-speaking regions
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Josua