Girl · 27th of 9,107
Josephine
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
328,296
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
8,709
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Josephine 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
Josephine has its origins in the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning 'God will add.' It evolved through Latin and Old French before becoming popular in its current form in France. The name is often associated with elegance and strength, and it gained historical significance through figures like Empress Josephine. Its biblical relevance is minimal, and it continues to be a fashionable name today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒoʊsəˌfiːn/
Origin
French
Etymology
The name Josephine is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning 'He will add' or 'God will increase.' It became popular in France as a feminine form of Joseph.
Meaning
God will add
Language Evolution
Yosef (Hebrew), Ioseph (Latin), Joseph (Old French), Josephine (French)
Historical Usage
The name Josephine gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly after the rise of prominent figures such as Empress Josephine of France.
Variants & Derivatives
Joseph, Josie, Joséphine, Josefa, Josefina
Modern Popularity & Image
Josephine is currently perceived as a classic and elegant name, often associated with sophistication and strength.
Famous People
Josephine Baker, an American-French entertainer and civil rights activist., Josephine Bonaparte, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Boy 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 8,709 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New York
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 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 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1482nd of 7545 | 392 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1450th of 6773 | 410 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3552nd of 7552 | 97 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8639th of 10718 | 13 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 13072nd of 16616 | 14 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 23106th of 23106 | 5 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 27th of 9107 | 136,651 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 73rd of 9204 | 62,372 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 201st of 12526 | 30,864 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 380th of 19264 | 9,493 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 446th of 27321 | 8,675 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 234th of 35406 | 21,899 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 95th of 30306 | 35,413 |