What does Josie mean and where does it come from?
Josie is often considered a diminutive form of Josephine. The name has biblical roots with Josephine being derived from the Hebrew name Yosef (יוסף). It gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the late 19th century. Notable people named Josie include Josie Maran, an American model and act
Cultural significance
Josie has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of god is my salvation.
Peak popularity
Reached #116 in 1880 — currently #108 in the US.
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Related Reading
American-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Josie?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Josie?
Josie works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Josie Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Josie Rose
Floral · soft ending
Josie Mae
Sweet · timeless
Josie Claire
French influence · crisp
Josie Jane
Literary · strong
Josie Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Josie right now?
Rising — up 12 spots — currently #108 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #108 | 2,513 | ▲ up 12 · +6% births |
| 2022 | #120 | 2,369 | ▲ up 10 · +9% births |
| 2021 | #130 | 2,165 | ▲ up 4 · +9% births |
| 2020 | #134 | 1,987 | ▲ up 116 · +54% births |
| 2015 | #250 | 1,290 | ▲ up 11 · +3% births |
| 2010 | #261 | 1,251 | ▲ up 55 · +23% births |
| 2005 | #316 | 1,017 | ▲ up 12 · +5% births |
| 2000 | #328 | 969 | ▲ up 32 · +33% births |
| 1995 | #360 | 726 | ▲ up 259 · +100% births |
| 1990 | #619 | 363 | ▲ up 150 · +65% births |
| 1985 | #769 | 220 | ▼ down 105 · -18% births |
| 1980 | #664 | 269 | ▲ up 75 · +37% births |
| 1975 | #739 | 196 | ▲ up 74 · +15% births |
| 1970 | #813 | 170 | ▼ down 68 · -6% births |
| 1965 | #745 | 180 | — |
The story of Josie
Josie has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. A total of 62,808 babies have received this name. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #116 in 1880 to #108 in 2023. Josie is used for both genders: 99% female and 1% male.
Names that peaked alongside Josie in 1880:
Josie by decade
Josie peaked in the 1880s. See all 1880s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1880s | 1,884 | |
| 1890s | 2,334 | |
| 1900s | 2,118 | |
| 1910s | 3,389 | |
| 1920s | 4,159 | |
| 1930s | 3,510 | |
| 1940s | 3,404 | |
| 1950s | 2,444 | |
| 1960s | 2,072 | |
| 1970s | 2,165 | |
| 1980s | 2,641 | |
| 1990s | 6,110 | |
| 2000s | 10,682 | |
| 2010s ★ | 13,902 | |
| 2020s | 1,994 | |
What are good nicknames for Josie?
ARABIC
YousefYoussefYusefYusuf
What names sound and feel like Josie?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Josie also consider these
How is Josie written in other languages?
Common questions about the name Josie
What does the name Josie mean?
Josie means "God is my salvation" — a name rooted in American 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 Josie?
Josie is currently ranked #108 in the United States as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Josie have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Josie?
Josie originates from American tradition. American 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 Josie?
Josie is a two-syllable name pronounced JH OW1 Z IY0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Josie trending right now?
Josie is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.