Fun Facts About the Name Josias
- More than 3 thousand babies named Josias: U.S. records list 3,514 babies given the name Josias from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Josias Mean?
Josias is the Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew name Yoshiyahu (יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ), which English Bibles usually render as Josiah. The name is commonly explained as 'Yahweh supports' or 'Yahweh heals.' Its ending is the shortened divine name Yahu, referring to the God of Israel. The first element is less certain: it has been connected with a root meaning 'to support' and also with a root meaning 'to heal,' so reference works differ. Josias is not a form of Joseph or Joshua, which have different Hebrew roots.
Josias Name History & Origins
The Hebrew name Yoshiyahu is best known as the name of King Josiah of Judah, who reigned in the late seventh century BC and is described in the books of Kings and Chronicles as a religious reformer who repaired the Temple in Jerusalem. The Greek Septuagint rendered the name as Iōsias (Ἰωσίας), and the New Testament uses that Greek form in the genealogy of Jesus at Matthew 1:10 - 11. Latin followed with Iosias, which became Josias in English and in several European languages. In English Bibles, the Old Testament king is usually called Josiah, while the Greek form Josias appears in the New Testament genealogy. The name entered Christian naming traditions and is found in French, Portuguese, and Spanish as Josias or Josías. Prince Josias of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, an eighteenth-century Austrian general, is one historical bearer of the name.
How Popular is the Name Josias?
Josias recorded its highest annual U.S. birth count in 2025. Its best rank was #950 in 2025.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #950 | 247 | 0.0145% |
| 2024 | #1,041 | 212 | 0.0124% |
| 2023 | #1,105 | 192 | 0.0112% |
| 2022 | #1,088 | 201 | 0.0115% |
| 2021 | #1,143 | 176 | 0.0101% |
| 2020 | #1,030 | 199 | 0.0115% |
| 2019 | #1,316 | 139 | 0.0078% |
| 2018 | #1,426 | 123 | 0.0068% |
| 2017 | #1,316 | 137 | 0.0074% |
| 2016 | #1,321 | 136 | 0.0072% |
| 2015 | #1,235 | 148 | 0.0077% |
| 2014 | #1,237 | 147 | 0.0077% |
| 2013 | #1,450 | 114 | 0.0060% |
| 2012 | #1,508 | 107 | 0.0056% |
| 2011 | #1,583 | 98 | 0.0052% |
| 2010 | #1,630 | 96 | 0.0050% |
| 2009 | #1,515 | 110 | 0.0055% |
| 2008 | #1,866 | 78 | 0.0038% |
| 2007 | #1,677 | 91 | 0.0044% |
| 2006 | #1,866 | 73 | 0.0036% |
| 2005 | #2,317 | 51 | 0.0026% |
| 2004 | #2,039 | 59 | 0.0030% |
| 2003 | #1,895 | 62 | 0.0031% |
| 2002 | #2,011 | 55 | 0.0028% |
| 2001 | #2,075 | 51 | 0.0026% |
| 2000 | #2,504 | 38 | 0.0019% |
| 1999 | #2,284 | 40 | 0.0021% |
| 1998 | #2,054 | 46 | 0.0024% |
| 1997 | #2,714 | 29 | 0.0015% |
| 1996 | #2,403 | 33 | 0.0017% |
| 1995 | #2,806 | 26 | 0.0014% |
| 1994 | #2,534 | 30 | 0.0016% |
| 1993 | #2,983 | 23 | 0.0012% |
| 1992 | #3,837 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 1991 | #3,396 | 18 | 0.0009% |
| 1990 | #4,080 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 1989 | #3,719 | 15 | 0.0007% |
| 1988 | #3,610 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 1987 | #4,744 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1986 | #7,254 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1985 | #6,153 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1983 | #2,999 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1982 | #3,808 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1981 | #5,195 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1980 | #5,215 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1979 | #6,523 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1975 | #5,881 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Josias Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are honest, benevolent, brilliant and often inventive, full of high inspirations. You are courageous, honest, determined, original and creative. You are a leader, especially for a cause. Sometimes you do not care to finish what you start, and may leave details to others. You can do well in position of authority, and prospers in intellectual and professional fields. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You are always looking for a chance to do your own thing, to be your own person, and to have things done your own way.
✦ Josias's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Josias's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.