Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Josephina
GirlEnglish, Hebrew· “God will add”
- Meaning
- God will add
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- joh-suh-FEE-nuh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #1,743
- US babies 2025
- 117
- Best rank
- #1,742 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Josephina
Josephina is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “God will add”.
God will add is the meaning of the Hebrew Yosef, source of Joseph, and Josephina is one of its feminine forms. The name has been used in various forms across Europe, including Josephine in French and Josefina in Spanish. Josephine became famous through Joséphine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon. The Josephina spelling gives the name a slightly more romantic, flowing look. Josie, Jo and Phina are all possible nicknames for this classic, elegant name.
Popularity over time
Josephina first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,742 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 118 babies. In 2025, 117 babies were named Josephina, and it ranked #1,743 nationally. That is 32% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,656 in 1920, #3,543 in 1950, #3,905 in 1980, #3,425 in 2000, #2,526 in 2010, and #1,743 in 2025. Of the 3,494 US girls named Josephina since records began, 26% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 643 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Catarina, Yasmina, Nirvana, Zari, and Siara.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Josephina ranked highest in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Ohio.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #787 | 12 |
| Massachusetts | #939 | 5 |
| Ohio | #1207 | 7 |
| Virginia | #1268 | 5 |
| Michigan | #1311 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Josephina is usually pronounced joh-suh-FEE-nuh, with four syllables. It has nine letters, starts with J and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Josephina
A few middle names that flow with Josephina: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Josephina
Similar names
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sehr-uh-FEE-nuh
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DAY-nuh
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Magdalena Girl
mag-duh-LAY-nuh
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Evelina Girl
eh-vuh-LEE-nuh
English
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jawr-jee-AN-uh
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Josefina Girl
hoh-seh-FEE-nuh
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Savanna Girl
suh-VA-nuh
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Ivana Girl
ih-VAH-nuh
“God is gracious” · Slavic
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Leena Girl
LEE-nuh
“short form of names ending in -lina” · English
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Elana Girl
eh-LAH-nuh
“tree (variant of Ilana)” · Hebrew
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Adina Girl
uh-DEE-nuh
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Lists that include Josephina
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Josephina mean?
Josephina is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “God will add”.
What is the origin of the name Josephina?
Josephina has English and Hebrew roots. God will add is the meaning of the Hebrew Yosef, source of Joseph, and Josephina is one of its feminine forms.
Is Josephina a popular name?
Not especially. Josephina ranked #1,743 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Josephina a boy or girl name?
Josephina is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Josephina?
Josephina is usually pronounced joh-suh-FEE-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings