Josemaria Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ho-seh-MAH-ree-ah /xo.seˈma.ɾi.a/
Origin: Spanish; Portuguese
Meaning: Spanish: God will increase; Portuguese: God will increase
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Josemaria is a compound of two elements: "Jose," derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "God will add," and "Maria," which is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, often interpreted as "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness." The name Josemaria thus combines these two significant biblical names, reflecting a deep-rooted religious heritage. The evolution of Josemaria into English can be traced through its Spanish origins, where it emerged as a popular name in the 20th century, particularly associated with the founder of Opus Dei, Saint Josemaría Escrivá, who was canonized in 2002.
Historically, the name Josemaria gained prominence in the early 20th century, particularly in Spain, where it was popularized by Escrivá's teachings and the establishment of Opus Dei in 1928. His influence in the Catholic Church and the global spread of his teachings contributed to the name's recognition.
The canonization of Saint Josemaría Escrivá marked a significant milestone, as it not only solidified the name's association with holiness and piety but also encouraged its adoption among families seeking to honor the saint. Culturally, the name Josemaria embodies a blend of Christian values and Spanish heritage, often symbolizing a commitment to faith and service.
The name's dual components, Jose and Maria, resonate with traditional Christian themes, making it a meaningful choice for many. The diminutive form "Chema" is sometimes used in Spanish-speaking cultures, further reflecting the name's cultural significance and familial affection.
Overall, Josemaria stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of religious devotion and cultural identity.
Famous people named Josemaria
In this section, you will find notable people named Josemaria. 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 Josemaria who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Josemaria 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.
Josemaria Escriva is a priest best known for founding Opus Dei and authoring The Way.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Josemaria, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Josemaria. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Josemaria was first seen in the United States in 1922.
Josemaria has ranked as high as #1325 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in California, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Josemaria has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Josemaria 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 Josemaria was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Josemaria (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
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 Josemaria.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2022 | 32 |
| 2021 | 38 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2019 | 29 |
| 2018 | 27 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2015 | 28 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2011 | 32 |
| 2010 | 37 |
| 2009 | 26 |
| 2008 | 29 |
| 2007 | 31 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2003 | 18 |
| 2002 | 24 |
| 2001 | 22 |
| 2000 | 14 |
| 1999 | 11 |
| 1998 | 20 |
| 1997 | 14 |
| 1996 | 28 |
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1992 | 8 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1987 | 7 |
| 1980 | 7 |
| 1923 | 6 |
| 1922 | 5 |