Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Josephine
GirlFrench, Hebrew· “he will add”
- Meaning
- he will add
- Origin
- French, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JOH-suh-feen
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #53
- US babies 2025
- 4,126
- Best rank
- #21 (1916)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Josephine
Josephine is a French and Hebrew name that means “he will add”.
Josephine is the French feminine form of Joseph, from the Hebrew Yosef, "he will add." Its most famous bearer is the Empress Josephine, first wife of Napoleon, whose fame helped spread the name across Europe in the nineteenth century. In literature, Jo March of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women is formally named Josephine, giving the name a spirited, independent image. The entertainer Josephine Baker is another well-known bearer. Josephine has returned as a vintage favorite, valued for being both elegant and down to earth. It offers many nicknames, including Josie, Jo, Joey and Posy.
Popularity over time
Josephine has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #21 in 1916, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 8,682 were named Josephine. In 2025, 4,126 babies were named Josephine, and it ranked #53 nationally. That is 65% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #28 in 1920, #146 in 1950, #430 in 1980, #288 in 2000, #185 in 2010, and #53 in 2025. Of the 331,467 US girls named Josephine since records began, 21% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 61,355 babies. Since 2010, 44,936 more have been named Josephine.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Edna, Ethel, Edith, Hazel, and Rose.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Josephine ranked highest in District of Columbia, Vermont, and Alaska.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #12 | 26 |
| Vermont | #15 | 15 |
| Alaska | #16 | 18 |
| Michigan | #17 | 186 |
| Wisconsin | #19 | 113 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Josephine is usually pronounced JOH-suh-feen, with three syllables. It has nine letters, starts with J and ends in “-ne”.
Middle names for Josephine
A few middle names that flow with Josephine: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Josephine
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Lists that include Josephine
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Josephine mean?
Josephine is a French and Hebrew name that means “he will add”.
What is the origin of the name Josephine?
Josephine has French and Hebrew roots. Josephine is the French feminine form of Joseph, from the Hebrew Yosef, "he will add." Its most famous bearer is the Empress Josephine, first wife of Napoleon, whose fame helped spread the name across Europe in the nineteenth century.
Is Josephine a popular name?
Yes. Josephine ranked #53 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Josephine a boy or girl name?
Josephine is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Josephine?
Josephine is usually pronounced JOH-suh-feen. 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