The Greek form of the Hebrew name Yĕhôshûaʿ (Joshua, H3091), meaning 'YHWH is salvation' or 'YHWH saves.' It was a common Jewish name in the Second Temple period, borne by Joshua son of Nun, Jesus son of Sirach, and others. The angel's explanation to Joseph — 'thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins' (Matt 1:21) — unpacks its theological meaning.
The name Iēsous is the NT's most frequent proper noun, appearing over 900 times. It is not merely a label but a theological confession: salvation belongs to YHWH, and YHWH accomplishes it through this person. The connection to Joshua is deliberate: as Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land, so Jesus leads God's people into eternal rest (Heb 4:8-9). Peter declares, 'There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved' (Acts 4:12). Paul confesses that 'at the name of Jesus every knee should bow' (Phil 2:10). The simplicity of the name — a common human name — embodies the incarnation itself: the Infinite took a finite name, the Eternal entered time, YHWH became Yeshua. Every time a believer says 'Jesus,' they are confessing: God saves.