Joshu

Joshu is a masculine name that appears to be a shortened form of Joshua or possibly a variant spelling of the Japanese name Joshu (城主), which means "lord of the castle." The Hebrew name Joshua means "Yahweh is salvation" and has been extremely popular in many Western countries. This shortened version, Joshu, is quite rare and unusual in Western naming traditions. It may also relate to Joshu Sasaki, a notable Zen Buddhist teacher, giving the name potential spiritual associations for some. The simplicity of Joshu makes it easy to pronounce while maintaining its connection to the more common Joshua. Its brevity gives it a modern, minimalist quality that might appeal to parents looking for a short, distinctive name with traditional roots.

Pronounced JOSH-oo.

As of October 2026, Joshu ranked #7337 in US births in 1994 SSA, peaked at #4010 in 1974.