Jeshua is a unique and distinctive given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew name Yehoshua, which means "Yahweh is salvation" or "salvation of Yahweh." In the Hebrew Bible, Jeshua is often translated as Joshua, a prominent figure who succeeded Moses as leader of the Israelites.
The name Jeshua has been used throughout history to honor this important biblical character. It was popular among Jews during the Second Temple period and was also adopted by early Christians due to its connection with Jesus Christ, whose original Hebrew name was Yeshua (a variant of Jeshua).
Today, Jeshua continues to be a beloved name among various religious communities around the world. While it remains relatively uncommon compared to other biblical names like John or David, those who bear this name carry a rich heritage and meaningful significance.
The name Jeshua has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States. In the early to mid-70s, there were between 10 to 16 babies named Jeshua each year. The number of births peaked in 2004 with 150 and remained relatively high until 2011 with around 120 births annually.
However, since then, the popularity of the name Jeshua has declined steadily. Between 2012 and 2023, there have been between 26 to 93 babies named Jeshua each year in the United States. The most recent data from 2023 shows that there were 48 births with the name Jeshua.
Despite this decline in popularity, it is still a unique and distinctive name with a rich history of usage over the years. It's also important to note that these statistics only represent the number of babies named Jeshua at birth and do not account for individuals who may have been given the name later in life or those who may have changed their name to Jeshua.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Jeshua has varied over time, it remains a name with historical significance and individuality.