Josiah

The first name Josiah has its origins in the Bible and is derived from the ancient Hebrew Yoshiyahu (יֹאשִׁיָהוּ). The literal translation is 'JHWH heals', 'JHWH supports', or 'JHWH cares for'.

What does the name Josiah mean?

Josiah is a male first name of biblical origin, derived from the ancient Hebrew Yoshiyahu (יֹאשִׁיָהוּ). It can be directly translated as 'JHWH heals', 'JHWH supports', and 'JHWH cares for'. The etymology includes the ancient Hebrew components 'ashya (אָשְׁיָה)', meaning 'support', and 'yah (יָה)', the name of the Hebrew God. In the biblical narrative, Josiah becomes king at the age of eight and reigns for 31 years. He is regarded as a good monarch who renewed the covenant with God and abolished idolatry! (See: 2 Kings 21:24 to 2 Kings 23:30). Other variants include Josias, Josia, Iosias, Jesiah, Joschija, and Siah.

Where does the name Josiah come from?

The name Josiah is of ancient Hebrew origin and means 'JHWH heals'. It is composed of the ancient Hebrew words 'ashya (אָשְׁיָה)' for 'support' and 'yah (יָה)' for 'name of the Hebrew God'. The language is biblical English.

How do you pronounce Josiah?

The pronunciation of the name Josiah is melodic and three syllables. In German, it is usually pronounced as 'Jo-si-ah' [dʒoˈzaɪ̯a] or [joˈziːa]. It begins with a rounded O sound that conveys a sense of calm. The emphasized middle syllable brings dynamism to the sound, while the open ending on '-ah' gives the name a certain expansiveness. Josiah has a sonorous, modern character and feels soft, international, and expressive.

When is the name day of Josiah?

The name days for Josiah are celebrated on January 1 and September 1.

Popularity

In Germany, the name Josiah enjoys great popularity. Currently, it ranks 1,098th among the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2008 at rank 914. In the last ten years, Josiah has been given as a first name about 280 times, placing it 1,270th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 1,401st.

Nicknames & pet names

Josi

Similar first names

Famous people

• Josiah "Jazza" Alan Brooks (YouTuber - Australian artist)
• Josiah Anderson (Ice hockey player)
• Josiah Conder (British architect)
• Josiah Cravalho (American football player)
• Josiah Flynt (Sociologist)
• Josiah Gilbert (Art critic)
• Josiah Gilbert Holland (American novelist)
• Josiah Gordon Scurlock (Cowboy)
• Josiah Gregg (Naturalist)
• Josiah Hawes (American photographer and photography pioneer)
• Josiah Martin (British colonial governor)
• Josiah McElheny (Artist)
• Josiah Orsie (American musician)
• Josiah Priest (American writer)
• Josiah Thompson (Writer)
• Josiah Warren (American social reformer)
• Josiah Wedgwood (English entrepreneur, founder of the Wedgwood porcelain factory)
• Josiah Willard Gibbs (Physicist/Thermodynamicist, cf. Gibbs's fundamental equation)
• Josiah Wood Whymper (Illustrator)