Josephine
Josephine is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God will add; Yahweh shall increase.
Origin and history
Josephine is a French feminine form of Joseph, derived from the Hebrew name Yosef. Although overwhelmingly given to females, it appears historically as a rare masculine entry in U.S. birth records. Its meaning translates to 'God will add' or 'He shall add'.
Popularity in the United States
991 babies in the United States have been named Josephine since 1880. It ranks #3691 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1922.
States where it is most popular
- NY (58.5 %)
- TX (18.5 %)
- CA (7.7 %)
- IL (7.7 %)
- PA (7.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 17 |
| 1890-1900 | 37 |
| 1900-1910 | 75 |
| 1910-1920 | 158 |
| 1920-1930 | 221 |
| 1930-1940 | 267 |
| 1940-1950 | 100 |
| 1950-1960 | 50 |
| 1960-1970 | 41 |
| 1970-1980 | 6 |
| 1980-1990 | 14 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 5 |
Nicknames
Jo, Josie, Joey, Fifi
Fun facts
- While predominantly feminine worldwide, Josephine has recorded nearly 1,000 masculine entries in the U.S. since 1880.
- The name gained international fame through Empress Joséphine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte.