Josian

Josian is a rare masculine name with medieval origins, appearing most notably in the 13th-century English romance 'Bevis of Hampton,' where Josian is a Saracen princess who converts to Christianity. Despite its feminine literary origin, the name has occasionally been used for boys, possibly as a variation of Joseph or Joshua. The name may have roots in older forms like Josianus or relate to the biblical Joseph family of names. With its soft sounds and unusual history, Josian bridges classical and unique naming styles. The -ian ending (as in Adrian or Julian) gives it a scholarly, refined quality. Extremely rare in contemporary use, Josian offers parents a name with literary heritage and melodic sound while remaining virtually unique in modern contexts.

Pronounced JO-shun.

As of October 2026, Josian ranked #9281 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #4618 in 2014.