Joshua Shaffer

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Joshua Shaffer — God is salvation
653K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Joshua Shaffer is a name that combines Hebrew origins. The first name Joshua is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin. From the Hebrew Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ), meaning "God is salvation." Leader of the Israelites after Moses who led them into Canaan. The surname Shaffer: Schaefer is an alternative spelling and cognate for the German word schäfer, meaning 'shepherd', which itself descends from the Old High German scāphare. Variants "Shaefer", "Schäfer" (a standardized spelling in many German-speaking countries after 1880), the additional alternative spelling "Schäffer", and the anglicised forms "Schaeffer", "Schaffer", "Shaffer", "Shafer", and "Schafer" are all common surnames. Joshua is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 653K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Joshua reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Joshua

Meaning: God is salvation

Hebrew

From the Hebrew Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ), meaning "God is salvation." Leader of the Israelites after Moses who led them into Canaan.

Surname: Shaffer

Germanic

Schaefer is an alternative spelling and cognate for the German word schäfer, meaning 'shepherd', which itself descends from the Old High German scāphare. Variants "Shaefer", "Schäfer" (a standardized spelling in many German-speaking countries after 1880), the additional alternative spelling "Schäffer", and the anglicised forms "Schaeffer", "Schaffer", "Shaffer", "Shafer", and "Schafer" are all common surnames.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Joshua is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 15%
Australia 8%
Canada 9%
Brazil 10%
Israel 6%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Joshua by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Joshua Shaffer

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Joshua Shaffer:

11
Expression Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

7
Soul Urge Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

4
Personality Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Joshua?
The first name Joshua originates from Hebrew. From the Hebrew Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ), meaning "God is salvation." Leader of the Israelites after Moses who led them into Canaan.
When was Joshua most popular?
The name Joshua reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Shaffer?
The surname Shaffer originates from Germanic. Schaefer is an alternative spelling and cognate for the German word schäfer, meaning 'shepherd', which itself descends from the Old High German scāphare. Variants "Shaefer", "Schäfer" (a standardized spelling in many German-speaking countries after 1880), the additional alternative spelling "Schäffer", and the anglicised forms "Schaeffer", "Schaffer", "Shaffer", "Shafer", and "Schafer" are all common surnames.
What are the origins of the name Joshua Shaffer?
The name Joshua Shaffer combines two different traditions: the first name Joshua has Hebrew roots, while the surname Shaffer originates from Germanic.
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