Boy · 33rd of 24,088
Jose
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
592,999
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2002
Peak Popularity Year
12,916
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jose stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Jose is a Spanish name derived from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning 'he will add'. Its linguistic journey includes forms like Iosephus and Joseph. The name is connected to biblical narratives, particularly of Saint Joseph. Jose is popular in Spanish-speaking cultures and is often viewed positively, reflecting cultural values and familial connections.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/hoʊˈzeɪ/
Origin
Spanish
Etymology
The name Jose is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, which means 'he will add'. It has been adopted into many languages, primarily through the influence of Christianity and the Bible.
Meaning
He will add
Language Evolution
Yosef (Hebrew), Iosephus (Latin), Joseph (English), Jose (Spanish)
Biblical Background
The name Jose is a variant of Joseph, who is a significant biblical figure in both the Old and New Testaments.
Historical Usage
Jose gained popularity in the Spanish-speaking world, particularly during the Middle Ages, due to religious influence and the veneration of Saint Joseph.
Variants & Derivatives
Joseph, Josef, Yosef, Giuseppe, Jozef
Modern Popularity & Image
Jose remains a widely used name in many Spanish-speaking countries and is often associated with strong familial and cultural ties.
Famous People
Jose Marti - Cuban nationalist and writer, Jose Mourinho - Portuguese football manager, Jose Gonzalez - Swedish-Argentinian singer-songwriter
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 12,916 peak births in 2002
Geographic Spread
Popular across 49 US states, with strongest presence in New Mexico
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 138th of 7545 | 18,350 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 134th of 6773 | 23,925 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 113th of 7552 | 59,578 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 54th of 10718 | 97,262 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 44th of 16616 | 160,902 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 33rd of 24088 | 172,701 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 82nd of 23106 | 54,043 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2382nd of 9107 | 245 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1840th of 9204 | 363 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2015th of 12526 | 560 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1551st of 19264 | 1,027 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1649th of 27321 | 1,344 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4004th of 35406 | 556 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 11212th of 30306 | 98 |