Joushua

Joushua is an uncommon spelling variation of Joshua, a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'Yahweh is salvation.' This alternative spelling maintains the same pronunciation while incorporating a French-inspired 'ou' vowel combination that gives it a distinctive look. The traditional Joshua has biblical significance as the successor to Moses who led the Israelites to the Promised Land. This variant spelling likely emerged as parents sought to personalize a popular name while maintaining its recognizable sound and heritage. Unlike the consistently popular Joshua, which has remained a top name for decades, Joushua is exceptionally rare, making it a choice for parents who appreciate the meaning and sound of Joshua but desire something more unique. The unusual spelling may require the bearer to frequently correct misspellings, though the pronunciation remains intuitive to English speakers.

Pronounced JOZ-oo-uh.

As of October 2026, Joushua ranked #9677 in US births in 2000 SSA, peaked at #4199 in 1985.