Josephine: Meaning, Origin & Everything You Need to Know
Josephine is the French feminine form of Joseph, from the Hebrew meaning 'Yahweh will add'.
At a Glance
- Pronunciation
- JOH-zuh-feenˈdʒoʊ.zə.fiːn
- Origin
- French
- Meaning
- Josephine is the French feminine form of Joseph, from the Hebrew meaning 'Yahweh will add'.
- Gender
- Girl's name
- Syllables
- 3
- Nicknames
- Jo, Josie, Joey
- US Popularity (2025)
- #53 — 📈 Rising
What Does Josephine Mean?
Josephine is the French feminine form of Joseph, which comes from the Hebrew Yosef, 'he will add'. The name is best known in history through Joséphine de Beauharnais, born Marie-Josèphe-Rose Tascher de la Pagerie in Martinique in 1763, who became the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress of the French. Napoleon began calling her Joséphine, and the name stuck.
In the US it was very common around 1916, when it reached #21. Its recovery since 2015, from #131 to #53, has been one of the faster ones among vintage names.
Josephine Baker, the American-born dancer and singer who became a star in Paris in the 1920s and worked with the French Resistance in the Second World War, is the other famous bearer. Jo March in 'Little Women' is also Josephine.
How Popular Is Josephine?
Josephine rose from #131 in 2015 to #87 in 2020 and #53 in 2025, after peaking at #21 in 1916 and 1917.
Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) baby name data, ssa.gov/oact/babynames, 2025.
Middle Names That Go with Josephine
Classic pairings
- Josephine Elizabeth
- Josephine Catherine
- Josephine Margaret
- Josephine Rose
Modern pairings
- Josephine Wren
- Josephine Marlowe
- Josephine Juniper
- Josephine Wilder
One-syllable options
- Josephine Jane
- Josephine Claire
- Josephine Belle
- Josephine Mae
Family-name bridges
- Josephine Ann
- Josephine Marie
- Josephine Grace
- Josephine Louise
Names Similar to Josephine
If you love Josephine, you might also like these names with a similar feel, origin, or sound.
Sibling Names That Go with Josephine
💙 Brother names
💗 Sister names
Famous People Named Josephine
- Joséphine de BeauharnaisFirst wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress of the French from 1804 to 1809.
- Josephine BakerAmerican-born French dancer, singer and Resistance member.
- Jo MarchJosephine March, the writer sister in Louisa May Alcott's 'Little Women'.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Josephine
Is Josephine a boy or girl name?
Josephine is primarily a girl's name. It is very rarely used for boys.
How do you pronounce Josephine?
Josephine is pronounced JOH-zuh-feen (IPA: ˈdʒoʊ.zə.fiːn). It has 3 syllables. Common nicknames include Jo, Josie, Joey.
Is Josephine a French name?
Josephine is of French origin. Josephine is the French feminine form of Joseph, from the Hebrew meaning 'Yahweh will add'.
What does Josephine mean?
Josephine is the French feminine form of Joseph, from the Hebrew meaning 'Yahweh will add'.
Josephine is the French feminine form of Joseph, which comes from the Hebrew Yosef, 'he will add'. The name is best known in history through Joséphine de Beauharnais, born Marie-Josèphe-Rose Tascher de la Pagerie in Martinique in 1763, who became the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress of the French. Napoleon began calling her Joséphine, and the name stuck.
Is Josephine a popular name in 2026?
Yes, Josephine is a highly popular name. It ranked #53 in the United States in 2025 according to the Social Security Administration. The name is currently trending upward. Josephine rose from #131 in 2015 to #87 in 2020 and #53 in 2025, after peaking at #21 in 1916 and 1917.
What are good middle names for Josephine?
Good middle names for Josephine include classic choices like Josephine Elizabeth and Josephine Catherine, modern options like Josephine Wren and Josephine Marlowe, and crisp one-syllable pairings like Josephine Jane and Josephine Claire. The best middle name depends on your surname and personal style.
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