What does Josep mean and where does it come from?
Josep is the Catalan form of José, itself derived from Hebrew 'Yosef' (יוֹסֵף). It has been a popular name throughout Spain and is particularly common in Catalonia. This name has historical significance in Christianity, being associated with Saint Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary. Notable figu
Cultural significance
Josep has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Spain-speaking communities, where it reflects values of god will add.
Peak popularity
Reached #3486 in 1958 — currently #11609 in the US.
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Related Reading
Spain-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Josep?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Josep?
Josep works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Josep Luke
One syllable · timeless choice
Josep Miles
One syllable · vintage charm
Josep Beau
One syllable · on the rise
Josep Brooks
One syllable · timeless choice
Josep Gael
One syllable · timeless choice
Josep Kai
One syllable · vintage charm
How popular is Josep right now?
Falling — down 1409 spots — currently #11609 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2024 | #11609 | 6 | ▼ down 1409 · -14% births |
| 2023 | #10200 | 7 | ▲ up 1329 · +17% births |
| 2022 | #11529 | 6 | ▼ down 2188 |
| 2000 | #9341 | 6 | ▼ down 4859 |
| 1970 | #4482 | 6 | ▼ down 844 |
| 1935 | #3638 | 6 | — |
The story of Josep
Josep entered American naming records in 1935 and has been in use for over 89 years. With 141 total births recorded, Josep remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #3638 in 1935, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #10200 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Josep in 1958:
Josep by decade
Josep peaked in the 1950s. See all 1950s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1930s | 6 | |
| 1950s | 12 | |
| 1960s | 13 | |
| 1970s | 11 | |
| 1980s | 12 | |
| 1990s | 11 | |
| 2000s | 27 | |
| 2010s ★ | 49 | |
| 2020s | 6 | |
💎Josep has only 141 total recorded births since 1935 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Josep?
DUTCH
JefJoepJoopJoosJoostJosSjefZef
What names sound and feel like Josep?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Josep also consider these
How is Josep written in other languages?
What are the girl versions of Josep?
Common questions about the name Josep
What does the name Josep mean?
Josep means "God will add" — a name rooted in Spain tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Josep?
Josep is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Josep have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Josep?
Josep originates from Spain tradition. Spain names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Josep?
Josep is a three-syllable name pronounced JOH-ES-EE-PEE. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Josep?
Josep pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Spain heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.