Josefa Girl

Popularity: #936 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ho-SEH-fah //xoˈse.fa//

Origin: Spanish; Hebrew

Meaning: Spanish: God will add; Hebrew: He will add

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Josefa has its roots in the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "God will add" or "God increases." This name was transliterated into Greek as Ioseph and later into Latin as Iosephus. The name made its way into various languages, including Spanish and Portuguese, where it evolved into Josefa, a feminine form of Jose.

The transition into English occurred through the influence of the Spanish and Portuguese languages, particularly during the periods of exploration and colonization when these cultures interacted with English-speaking populations. Historically, the name Josefa is linked to significant biblical figures, most notably Joseph, the son of Jacob, who is a prominent character in the Book of Genesis.

His story, which includes themes of resilience and divine providence, has been influential in Judeo-Christian traditions. The name has also been borne by various saints, including Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary, which further solidified its religious significance.

The name's presence in religious texts and its association with revered figures contributed to its enduring legacy across cultures. Culturally, Josefa carries connotations of strength and divine favor, reflecting its etymological roots.

It is often associated with qualities such as leadership and nurturing, traits that resonate within various cultural narratives. The name has been embraced in numerous Hispanic cultures, where it is celebrated for its historical and familial connections.

The diminutive form, Pepa, is also used affectionately in some regions, highlighting the name's versatility and warmth. Overall, Josefa's journey through language and culture illustrates its deep historical roots and the enduring significance it holds in various traditions.

Famous people named Josefa

In this section, you will find notable people named Josefa. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Josefa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Josefa who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Josefa I of Portugal was a queen best known for her reign over Portugal during the 18th century.

Josefa de Óbidos was a painter best known for her religious works and portraits in the Baroque style.

Fictional characters named Josefa

The following list of fictional characters named Josefa is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Josefa is a fictional character from the novel The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. She is a significant figure in the story, representing the struggles and resilience of women in a patriarchal society.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Josefa, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

JoseJosefinaJoaquinJorgeJuanaJulieta

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Josefa. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

JoseJosieJosephineJovitaJasmineJocelynJoanna

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Josefa was first seen in the United States in 1881.

Josefa has ranked as high as #1465 nationally, which occurred in 1925, and has been most popular in Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona, and New York.

In the past 5 years the name Josefa has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Josefa is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Josefa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Josefa.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 12 12
2024 18 18
2023 9 9
2022 13 13
2021 8 8
2020 6 6
2019 5 5
2018 16 16
2017 9 9
2016 10 10
2015 6 6
2014 6 6
2013 6 6
2012 11 11
2011 13 13
2010 9 9
2009 6 6
2008 16 16
2007 12 12
2006 6 6
2005 9 9
2004 9 9
2003 9 9
2002 14 14
2001 12 12
2000 10 10
1999 20 20
1998 13 13
1997 10 10
1996 16 16
1995 18 18
1994 17 17
1993 17 17
1992 11 11
1991 16 16
1990 19 19
1989 24 24
1988 16 16
1987 13 13
1986 12 12
1985 26 26
1984 18 18
1983 26 26
1982 21 21
1981 23 23
1980 18 18
1979 34 34
1978 13 13
1977 25 25
1976 21 21
1975 17 17
1974 20 20
1973 22 22
1972 27 27
1971 30 30
1970 30 30
1969 31 31
1968 25 25
1967 23 23
1966 29 29
1965 23 23
1964 38 38
1963 27 27
1962 24 24
1961 29 29
1960 29 29
1959 26 26
1958 30 30
1957 32 32
1956 32 32
1955 29 29
1954 45 45
1953 38 38
1952 33 33
1951 39 39
1950 39 39
1949 37 37
1948 48 48
1947 37 37
1946 40 40
1945 26 26
1944 31 31
1943 34 34
1942 34 34
1941 40 40
1940 45 45
1939 35 35
1938 48 48
1937 41 41
1936 38 38
1935 45 45
1934 55 55
1933 44 44
1932 58 58
1931 71 71
1930 63 63
1929 68 68
1928 74 74
1927 65 65
1926 71 71
1925 84 84
1924 79 79
1923 66 66
1922 81 81
1921 72 72
1920 66 66
1919 66 66
1918 63 63
1917 56 56
1916 40 40
1915 57 57
1914 42 42
1913 38 38
1912 46 46
1911 39 39
1910 35 35
1909 28 28
1908 25 25
1907 31 31
1906 30 30
1905 22 22
1904 21 21
1903 18 18
1902 17 17
1901 19 19
1900 19 19
1899 11 11
1898 20 20
1897 20 20
1896 21 21
1895 28 28
1894 17 17
1893 19 19
1892 19 19
1891 14 14
1890 23 23
1889 20 20
1888 8 8
1887 11 11
1886 8 8
1885 11 11
1884 9 9
1883 6 6
1882 10 10
1881 5 5

Top States for Josefa (2008)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 5
100%