Josette Girl

Popularity: #839 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: zoh-ZET /ʒo.zɛt/

Origin: French; Hebrew

Meaning: French: God is my salvation; Hebrew: Little Josephine

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Josette is of French origin, derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "God will add" or "God increases." The name Yosef was translated into Greek as Ioseph and later into Latin as Iosephus. From Latin, it transitioned into Old French as Josse, which then evolved into the diminutive form Josette.

This transformation reflects a common linguistic practice in which names are adapted and shortened in various languages, leading to the creation of feminine forms such as Josette in French-speaking regions. Historically, the name Josette can be linked to the biblical figure Joseph, who is a prominent character in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament.

Joseph is known for his story of being sold into slavery by his brothers, rising to power in Egypt, and ultimately reconciling with his family. This biblical narrative, particularly influential in the Judeo-Christian tradition, has contributed to the enduring popularity of names derived from Joseph, including Josette.

The name gained further cultural significance in the 19th century, particularly in France, where it became associated with various literary and artistic works. Culturally, Josette carries connotations of grace and femininity, often associated with nurturing qualities due to its roots in the name Joseph.

The name has been embraced in various artistic expressions, including literature and theater, where characters named Josette often embody charm and resilience. The diminutive form Josie is also related, although Josette stands on its own as a distinct name with a rich heritage.

Overall, the name Josette reflects a blend of historical, linguistic, and cultural influences that have contributed to its lasting resonance in French-speaking cultures.

Famous people named Josette

In this section, you will find notable people named Josette. 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 Josette who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Josette 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.

Josette Simon is an actress best known for The Last of the Mohicans, The Fifth Element, and The Witcher.

Fictional characters named Josette

The following list of fictional characters named Josette 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.

Josette du Pres is a fictional character from the soap opera Dark Shadows. She is the tragic love interest of Barnabas Collins, whose story is central to the show's gothic romance.

Sibling suggestions

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

JulietteIsabelleColetteAnnetteMargotCeleste

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Josette. 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.

JosephineJosieJulietteColetteAntoinetteSuzetteOdetteYvette

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Josette was first seen in the United States in 1916.

Josette has ranked as high as #747 nationally, which occurred in 1968, and has been most popular in New York, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Josette 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 Josette 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 Josette.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 109 109
2024 85 85
2023 80 80
2022 93 93
2021 95 95
2020 74 74
2019 56 56
2018 52 52
2017 43 43
2016 57 57
2015 64 64
2014 52 52
2013 62 62
2012 51 51
2011 28 28
2010 32 32
2009 28 28
2008 42 42
2007 54 54
2006 28 28
2005 48 48
2004 51 51
2003 68 68
2002 50 50
2001 61 61
2000 71 71
1999 57 57
1998 56 56
1997 65 65
1996 60 60
1995 50 50
1994 66 66
1993 51 51
1992 65 65
1991 116 116
1990 52 52
1989 51 51
1988 42 42
1987 34 34
1986 44 44
1985 62 62
1984 60 60
1983 52 52
1982 64 64
1981 61 61
1980 62 62
1979 87 87
1978 85 85
1977 99 99
1976 95 95
1975 96 96
1974 120 120
1973 162 162
1972 175 175
1971 218 218
1970 298 298
1969 293 293
1968 504 504
1967 181 181
1966 48 48
1965 58 58
1964 44 44
1963 60 60
1962 59 59
1961 53 53
1960 58 58
1959 57 57
1958 71 71
1957 53 53
1956 60 60
1955 58 58
1954 62 62
1953 66 66
1952 52 52
1951 54 54
1950 42 42
1949 56 56
1948 56 56
1947 60 60
1946 40 40
1945 24 24
1944 31 31
1943 21 21
1942 53 53
1941 44 44
1940 17 17
1939 49 49
1938 44 44
1936 7 7
1933 5 5
1932 7 7
1931 11 11
1930 6 6
1929 6 6
1928 8 8
1927 5 5
1926 5 5
1924 8 8
1920 6 6
1919 6 6
1918 5 5
1916 7 7

Top States for Josette (2024)

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
NY 8
24%
MN 7
21%
TX 7
21%
FL 6
18%
CO 5
15%