Jose: Meaning, Origin & Everything You Need to Know
Jose is the Spanish form of Joseph, from the Hebrew name meaning 'Yahweh will add'.
At a Glance
- Pronunciation
- ho-ZAYhoʊˈzeɪ
- Origin
- Spanish
- Meaning
- Jose is the Spanish form of Joseph, from the Hebrew name meaning 'Yahweh will add'.
- Gender
- Boy's name
- Syllables
- 2
- Nicknames
- Pepe, Chepe, Joselito
- US Popularity (2025)
- #95 — 📉 Falling
What Does Jose Mean?
Jose, written José in Spanish and Portuguese, is a form of Joseph, from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning 'Yahweh will add' or 'he will add'. In the Bible, Joseph was the favourite son of Jacob who was sold into slavery in Egypt and rose to become a ruler, and Saint Joseph was the husband of Mary, which made the name popular across the Catholic world.
Jose is one of the most common given names in the Spanish-speaking world and a long-standing top-100 name in the US. Famous bearers include the Cuban poet and revolutionary José Martí and the tenor José Carreras. It is often used in double names such as José Luis and José Manuel.
How Popular Is Jose?
Jose ranked #80 in 2015 and has eased to #95 in 2025, though it remains in the top 100.
Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) baby name data, ssa.gov/oact/babynames, 2025.
Middle Names That Go with Jose
Classic pairings
- Jose Luis
- Jose Manuel
- Jose Antonio
- Jose Miguel
Modern pairings
- Jose Mateo
- Jose Alejandro
- Jose Santiago
- Jose Rafael
One-syllable options
- Jose Paul
- Jose Carl
- Jose Lee
- Jose Ray
Family-name bridges
- Jose Angel
- Jose David
- Jose Daniel
- Jose Carlos
Names Similar to Jose
If you love Jose, you might also like these names with a similar feel, origin, or sound.
Sibling Names That Go with Jose
💙 Brother names
💗 Sister names
Famous People Named Jose
- José MartíCuban poet, essayist and national hero of the fight for independence from Spain.
- José CarrerasSpanish operatic tenor, one of the Three Tenors.
- José MourinhoPortuguese football manager who has won league titles in four countries.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jose
Is Jose a boy or girl name?
Jose is primarily a boy's name. It is very rarely used for girls.
How do you pronounce Jose?
Jose is pronounced ho-ZAY (IPA: hoʊˈzeɪ). It has 2 syllables. Common nicknames include Pepe, Chepe, Joselito.
Is Jose a Spanish name?
Jose is of Spanish origin. Jose is the Spanish form of Joseph, from the Hebrew name meaning 'Yahweh will add'.
What does Jose mean?
Jose is the Spanish form of Joseph, from the Hebrew name meaning 'Yahweh will add'.
Jose, written José in Spanish and Portuguese, is a form of Joseph, from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning 'Yahweh will add' or 'he will add'. In the Bible, Joseph was the favourite son of Jacob who was sold into slavery in Egypt and rose to become a ruler, and Saint Joseph was the husband of Mary, which made the name popular across the Catholic world.
Is Jose a popular name in 2026?
Yes, Jose is a highly popular name. It ranked #95 in the United States in 2025 according to the Social Security Administration. The name is gradually declining in popularity but still firmly mainstream. Jose ranked #80 in 2015 and has eased to #95 in 2025, though it remains in the top 100.
What are good middle names for Jose?
Good middle names for Jose include classic choices like Jose Luis and Jose Manuel, modern options like Jose Mateo and Jose Alejandro, and crisp one-syllable pairings like Jose Paul and Jose Carl. The best middle name depends on your surname and personal style.
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