Joshua
Meaning: God is salvation; the Lord saves
Origin: Hebrew — from Yehoshua (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ), the same root as Jesus
Gender: Boy
Rank in Australia: #15
Total births: 33,421
History: Joshua exploded in the 1990s to become one of Australia's top names. The name has an energetic, adventurous quality that fits the Australian spirit. Joshua represents the generation of Australians born into a multicultural, confident nation — children of Keating's vision of Australia.
Explore more at Australian Baby Names on BabyNa.me
Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Australia’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2024) | #76 |
| Babies named Joshua in 2024 | 105 |
| Total recorded in Australia | 33,421 |
| Peak year | 1997 (1,296 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #1 |
| Years in records | 1971–2024 (54 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 42 spots |
Frequently asked about Joshua
What does the name Joshua mean?
Joshua means “God is salvation; the Lord saves” from Hebrew — from Yehoshua (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ), the same root as Jesus roots.
What is the origin of the name Joshua?
Joshua has Hebrew — from Yehoshua (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ), the same root as Jesus origin. The traditional meaning is “God is salvation; the Lord saves”.
How popular is Joshua in Australia?
Joshua ranked #76 in Australia in 2024 — given to 105 babies that year.
When was Joshua most popular?
Joshua peaked in 1997 with 1,296 babies registered that year in Australia.
Is Joshua a boy or girl name?
Joshua is predominantly a boys' name in Australia — over 90% of Joshuas in registered births are male.
Is the name Joshua rising or falling in popularity?
Joshua has fallen 42 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years in Australia — from #34 in 2019 to #76 in 2024.
How long has Joshua been recorded in Australia?
Joshua appears in birth records in Australia across 54 years — from 1971 through 2024.