Josef Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationYO-sef / /ˈjoʊ.sɛf/Hebrew; German; Slavic
Meaning
Hebrew: He will add; German: God will increase; Slavic: God will add
Historical & Cultural Background
Josef is a variant of Joseph, which has biblical origins. It has been widely used in various cultures, particularly in Christian contexts. The name has been popular in Europe, especially in German-speaking countries. It has also been embraced in Slavic regions, reflecting a rich cultural heritage.
Trend Summary
Josef has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable presence in various cultural contexts.
Similar Names
Variants
- Joseph
- Jose
- Josip
International Variants
- Giuseppe (Italian)
- Yosef (Hebrew)
- Josef (Czech)
- Jose (Spanish)
- Józef (Polish)
Famous people named Josef
Josef Stalin was a Soviet political leader known for his role in the development of the Soviet Union.
Josef Mengele was a German SS officer and physician infamous for his inhumane experiments during World War II.
Josef Albers was a German-born American artist known for his contributions to modern art and design.
Josef Koudelka is a Czech photographer recognized for his documentary photography and work with the Roma community.
Fictional characters named Josef
Josef is a character in the video game 'The Last Express', known for his involvement in the game's intricate plot.
Josef is a character in the novel 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak, serving as a symbol of hope and resilience.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Josef was first seen in the United States in 1900. Josef has ranked as high as #1078 nationally, which occurred in 1999, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Josef has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Josef (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 11 | |
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1900 | 6 |
| 1901 | 7 |
| 1906 | 7 |
| 1907 | 7 |
| 1908 | 5 |
| 1909 | 11 |
| 1910 | 10 |
| 1911 | 8 |
| 1912 | 12 |
| 1913 | 18 |
| 1914 | 13 |
| 1915 | 24 |
| 1916 | 28 |
| 1917 | 22 |
| 1918 | 14 |
| 1919 | 24 |
| 1920 | 17 |
| 1921 | 7 |
| 1922 | 14 |
| 1923 | 12 |
| 1924 | 21 |
| 1925 | 19 |
| 1926 | 20 |
| 1927 | 16 |
| 1928 | 21 |
| 1929 | 15 |
| 1930 | 14 |
| 1931 | 13 |
| 1932 | 9 |
| 1933 | 9 |
| 1934 | 16 |
| 1935 | 14 |
| 1936 | 15 |
| 1937 | 12 |
| 1938 | 20 |
| 1939 | 13 |
| 1940 | 14 |
| 1941 | 11 |
| 1942 | 21 |
| 1943 | 19 |
| 1944 | 13 |
| 1945 | 20 |
| 1946 | 11 |
| 1947 | 21 |
| 1948 | 19 |
| 1949 | 23 |
| 1950 | 18 |
| 1951 | 21 |
| 1952 | 29 |
| 1953 | 25 |
| 1954 | 32 |
| 1955 | 38 |
| 1956 | 41 |
| 1957 | 49 |
| 1958 | 45 |
| 1959 | 37 |
| 1960 | 53 |
| 1961 | 51 |
| 1962 | 41 |
| 1963 | 54 |
| 1964 | 58 |
| 1965 | 66 |
| 1966 | 53 |
| 1967 | 41 |
| 1968 | 73 |
| 1969 | 65 |
| 1970 | 93 |
| 1971 | 89 |
| 1972 | 80 |
| 1973 | 78 |
| 1974 | 80 |
| 1975 | 107 |
| 1976 | 96 |
| 1977 | 119 |
| 1978 | 123 |
| 1979 | 161 |
| 1980 | 151 |
| 1981 | 131 |
| 1982 | 149 |
| 1983 | 130 |
| 1984 | 170 |
| 1985 | 172 |
| 1986 | 159 |
| 1987 | 164 |
| 1988 | 177 |
| 1989 | 156 |
| 1990 | 165 |
| 1991 | 154 |
| 1992 | 163 |
| 1993 | 170 |
| 1994 | 179 |
| 1995 | 168 |
| 1996 | 175 |
| 1997 | 183 |
| 1998 | 211 |
| 1999 | 220 |
| 2000 | 198 |
| 2001 | 211 |
| 2002 | 195 |
| 2003 | 188 |
| 2004 | 185 |
| 2005 | 218 |
| 2006 | 191 |
| 2007 | 165 |
| 2008 | 157 |
| 2009 | 125 |
| 2010 | 129 |
| 2011 | 137 |
| 2012 | 95 |
| 2013 | 108 |
| 2014 | 113 |
| 2015 | 91 |
| 2016 | 92 |
| 2017 | 81 |
| 2018 | 84 |
| 2019 | 81 |
| 2020 | 66 |
| 2021 | 72 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2023 | 61 |
| 2024 | 62 |