Josephus
Josephus is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
May God add or He shall add.
Origin and history
Josephus is a Latinized form of the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning 'he will add'. It is historically prominent due to the ancient Jewish-Roman historian Flavius Josephus. In the United States, it is a rare classical choice with deep historical roots.
Popularity in the United States
1,211 babies in the United States have been named Josephus since 1880. It ranks #3487 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1916.
States where it is most popular
- NC (35.8 %)
- GA (30.9 %)
- SC (21.1 %)
- AL (12.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 35 |
| 1890-1900 | 24 |
| 1900-1910 | 18 |
| 1910-1920 | 143 |
| 1920-1930 | 206 |
| 1930-1940 | 156 |
| 1940-1950 | 157 |
| 1950-1960 | 140 |
| 1960-1970 | 94 |
| 1970-1980 | 89 |
| 1980-1990 | 59 |
| 1990-2000 | 46 |
| 2000-2010 | 21 |
| 2010-2019 | 12 |
| 2020-2029 | 11 |
Famous people named Josephus
- Josephus Daniels: Publisher, Diplomat
- Josephus Lyles: Athlete, Sprinter
Nicknames
Joe, Joey
Fun facts
- The name is widely recognized because of Titus Flavius Josephus, a first-century scholar whose writings are primary sources for ancient Jewish history.
- Josephus represents the Latin translation of the Greek Iosephos, derived from Hebrew Yosef.