Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2025 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company

      Meaning of the first name
      Josh

      Origin 
      English

      Meaning 
      Short form of Joshua

      Variations 
      Joshua, Joshwa, Joshuah

      *Some content has been generated by an artificial intelligence language model, in combination with data sourced from Ancestry records and provided by BabyNames.com.
      The name Josh is derived from the English language and is recognized as a shortened version of the name Joshua. The origin of Joshua can be traced back to Biblical times, as it has roots in Hebrew and Greek. In the Hebrew language, Joshua is transliterated from the name (Yehoshu'a), which signifies Yahweh is salvation. In the Greek language, Joshua is rendered as (Isous), which translates to Jesus.

      Throughout history, the name Joshua has been prominent across various cultures and civilizations. In the Bible, Joshua is regarded as an important figure who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. This religious connection has contributed to the longevity and popularity of the name Joshua. Over time, the shortened version, Josh, has become widely accepted and used colloquially as a given name.

      In modern-day usage, the name Josh continues to be prevalent, with numerous individuals bearing the name. It is used across different countries and cultures, maintaining its popularity as a familiar and approachable name. Josh is often associated with qualities such as strength, leadership, and resilience due to its ties to the biblical figure Joshua. Its concise and straightforward nature also makes it a favored choice for parents seeking a traditional yet modern name for their child.
      Based on our records...
      This is the most common surname, spouse name and child name associated with Josh.
      Smith

      is the most common surname for Josh.

      Mary

      is the most common spouse name for Josh.

      Joseph

      is the most common child name for Josh.

      Start your curiosity engines.

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Free Trial
      Order Ancestry
      did_you_know_bar
      Based on our records...
      Did you know?
      1850 is when there were the most people born with the first name Josh.

      We'll guide you through the process of building and growing your tree

      Explore the origins of another name.