Joshua in Chinese
Joshua in Chinese is 乔舒亚 (Qiáo Shū Yà).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- God is salvation
Etymologically, Joshua is Hebrew and is commonly glossed as "God is salvation". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1980s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Isaiah, Jesus.
3 ways to write Joshua
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
乔舒亚
Qiáo Shū Yà
The standard transliteration of Joshua: 乔 (qiáo, "tall, lofty"), 舒 (shū, "relaxed, comfortable"), 亚 (yà, "Asia; second (phonetic 'a/ya')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Mandarin has no consonant clusters, so the 2-syllable English name is spread over 3 characters: 乔 qiáo + 舒 shū + 亚 yà. The tone contour is 2-1-4 (rising, high level, falling).
Character breakdown
24 strokes total (simplified)- 乔
qiáo
Tone 2 · 6 strokes (simplified)
tall, lofty
- 舒
shū
Tone 1 · 12 strokes (simplified)
relaxed, comfortable
- 亚
yà
Tone 4 · 6 strokes (simplified)
Asia; second (phonetic 'a/ya')
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Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
天佑
Tiān Yòu
Inspired by "God is salvation": 天 (tiān, "heaven, sky") + 佑 (yòu, "blessing, protection"), expressing blessing and divine protection.
Why these characters?
The idea of "God" behind Joshua is rendered by 天, "heaven, sky"; 佑, "blessing, protection", completes it.
Character breakdown
11 strokes total (simplified)- 天
tiān
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
heaven, sky
- 佑
yòu
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
blessing, protection
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
乔佑
Qiáo Yòu
乔 (qiáo, "tall, lofty") + 佑 (yòu, "blessing, protection"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 乔 (qiáo), the same opening character as the transliteration 乔舒亚, for the "jo" sound, and replaces the rest with 佑 ("blessing, protection") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 乔
qiáo
Tone 2 · 6 strokes (simplified)
tall, lofty
- 佑
yòu
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
blessing, protection
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Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Joshua
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Joshua ranked 58 among names recorded for boys, with 31,854 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 1,202,454 boys named Joshua since 1880, with the high point in 1989 (44,090 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #4 to #39 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1989
- Peak decade
- 1980s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 1,202,454
More About Joshua in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Joshua offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Joshua, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Isaiah in Chinese, and Jesus in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Isaiah in Chinese, Jesus in Chinese, and Michael in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Christopher in Chinese, Matthew in Chinese, Daniel in Chinese, David in Chinese, and James in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Joshua, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Joshua to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Joshua in Chinese?
乔舒亚 (Qiáo Shū Yà), or 喬舒亞 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 乔舒亚 have?
24 strokes in simplified form and 32 in traditional; per character: 乔 6, 舒 12, 亚 6.
How popular is the name Joshua?
US Social Security records show 1,202,454 boys named Joshua since 1880, with the high point in 1989 (44,090 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #4 to #39 among boys.