Josephine
Josephine: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈd͡ʒəʊ.zə.fiːn/ · /ˈd͡ʒəʊ.sə.fiːn/
Meaning and origin of Josephine
- A female given name from French.
Etymology
From French Joséphine, diminutive of Josèphe, feminine form of Joseph. By surface analysis, Joseph + -ine. Popularized in English by Josephine Bonaparte, the empress of Napoleonic France.
How popular is Josephine?
Since 1880, 331,467 girls and 991 boys in the U.S. have been named Josephine (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #21 in 1916. Its highest rank for boys was #676 in 1903. In 2025 it ranked #53 for girls, with 4,126 babies given the name.
Names similar to Josephine
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More French girl names
Sibling name ideas for Josephine
Sister and brother names that share Josephine's French roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Josephine FAQ
What does the name Josephine mean?
A female given name from French. From French Joséphine, diminutive of Josèphe, feminine form of Joseph. By surface analysis, Joseph + -ine. Popularized in English by Josephine Bonaparte, the empress of Napoleonic France.
What is the origin of the name Josephine?
Josephine is listed as a name of French origin.
How popular is the name Josephine?
Since 1880, 331,467 girls and 991 boys in the U.S. have been named Josephine (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #21 in 1916. Its highest rank for boys was #676 in 1903. In 2025 it ranked #53 for girls, with 4,126 babies given the name.
Is Josephine a boy or girl name?
Josephine is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 331,467 girls and 991 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.