Josephine

God will add — a girl name of French origin

GenderGirl
OriginFrench
MeaningGod will add
PronunciationJOH-zuh-feen

Popularity of Josephine in the United States

#53Rank in 2025
4,126Births in 2025
#21 in 1916Peak Popularity
↑ Rising10-Year Trend

Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Meaning & Origin of Josephine

Josephine is the French feminine form of Joseph, derived from the Hebrew "Yosef" meaning "God will add." The name rose to prominence through Empress Josephine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress of the French. Born Marie Josephe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie, she was called Josephine by Napoleon. The name carries an air of elegance and sophistication. It experienced a revival in the 21st century as parents rediscovered its vintage charm, and it has steadily climbed the popularity charts.

Josephine Around the World

Josephine is used in 2 languages worldwide, with 10+ international variants.

Languages
EnglishDutch
Details

Male FormJoseph

International Variants
JosefineDutch
Josefinmultiple languages
JosefinaDutch
Joséphine
JosephinaDutch
JózefinaPolish
JósefínaIcelandic
Josefiina
Jozefína
Iosephina

Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.

Nicknames for Josephine

JosieJoJojoFifi

Famous People Named Josephine

  • Josephine Baker — American-born French entertainer and civil rights activist
  • Empress Josephine — first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte
  • Josephine Langford — Australian actress

Sibling Name Ideas for Josephine

Looking for names that pair well with Josephine? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Josephine mean?

Josephine is a girl name of French origin meaning "God will add." Josephine is the French feminine form of Joseph, derived from the Hebrew "Yosef" meaning "God will add." The name rose to prominence through Empress Josephine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress of the French.

How do you pronounce Josephine?

Josephine is pronounced JOH-zuh-feen. Common variations include Josefina, Josefine, Giuseppina.

Is Josephine a girl name?

Yes, Josephine is traditionally a girl name. Popular nicknames include Josie, Jo, Jojo, Fifi.

Need More Name Ideas?

Like Josephine? Our AI Name Generator suggests personalized baby names based on your preferences, surname, and cultural background.

Try Baby Name Generator