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Josie Girl

Popularity: #88 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationJOH-zee / /ˈdʒoʊ.zi/

Hebrew; English

Meaning

Hebrew: God is my salvation; English: Diminutive of Josephine

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Josie is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "God will add" or "God increases." This name was adopted into Greek as Ioseph, which later transitioned into Latin as Josephus. The name entered Old French as Josse, which eventually evolved into the diminutive form Josie in English. The use of diminutives in English often reflects affection or familiarity, and Josie serves as a charming variant of the more formal Josephine, which itself is derived from the masculine Joseph.

Historically, the name Joseph has significant biblical roots, being borne by several important figures in the Bible, including Joseph, the son of Jacob, who is known for his coat of many colors, and Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The name has been prominent in Christian tradition, with numerous saints named Joseph, particularly Saint Joseph, who is venerated in both Catholic and Orthodox traditions. The King James Bible, published in the early 17th century, helped to solidify the name's presence in English-speaking cultures, as it included references to these biblical figures.

Culturally, the name Josie has been associated with qualities of kindness and nurturing, often reflecting the characteristics attributed to its biblical namesake, Saint Joseph. The name has been embraced in various literary and artistic contexts, further embedding it within cultural narratives. The use of Josie as a diminutive has allowed it to maintain a sense of warmth and approachability, contributing to its enduring appeal across generations.

Trend Summary

Josie has seen a resurgence in popularity in the United States, particularly in the 21st century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Josy
  • Jozie

International Variants

  • Josefina (Spanish)
  • Giuseppina (Italian)
  • Joséphine (French)

Famous people named Josie

Josie Maran is a model and actress best known for her work with Maybelline, as well as her role in The Mallory Effect.

Josie Bissett is an actress best known for her role in Melrose Place, as well as her work in The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

Josie Lawrence is an actress and comedian best known for her work on Whose Line Is It Anyway? and the sitcom The Josie Lawrence Show.

Josie Dunne is a singer-songwriter best known for her singles.

Josie Long is a comedian and writer best known for her stand-up performances and appearances on BBC Radio.

Fictional characters named Josie

Josie McCoy is a fictional character from the TV series Riverdale. She is the lead singer of the band Josie and the Pussycats and a key figure in the show's exploration of friendship and ambition.

Josie is a fictional character from the animated series Josie and the Pussycats. She is the leader of a girl band that solves mysteries while navigating the challenges of fame.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Josie was first seen in the United States in 1880. Josie has ranked as high as #205 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, and North Carolina. In the past 5 years the name Josie has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Josie (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 263
10%
OH 179
7%
CA 167
6%
NC 143
5%
GA 116
4%
FL 115
4%
PA 114
4%
TN 106
4%
NY 88
3%
KY 84
3%
IL 82
3%
IN 81
3%
MO 77
3%
MN 66
2%
WI 64
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880141
1881149
1882169
1883148
1884198
1885211
1886212
1887192
1888257
1889207
1890242
1891218
1892263
1893233
1894241
1895234
1896227
1897209
1898219
1899243
1900266
1901205
1902221
1903210
1904206
1905217
1906193
1907191
1908207
1909202
1910251
1911193
1912269
1913257
1914344
1915379
1916363
1917403
1918430
1919481
1920436
1921420
1922448
1923413
1924426
1925409
1926406
1927409
1928364
1929364
1930356
1931338
1932291
1933334
1934379
1935376
1936330
1937353
1938373
1939334
1940337
1941345
1942362
1943331
1944352
1945335
1946332
1947360
1948351
1949269
1950246
1951233
1952196
1953203
1954228
1955222
1956280
1957276
1958267
1959276
1960305
1961253
1962232
1963222
1964204
1965180
1966163
1967140
1968184
1969177
1970170
1971227
1972214
1973192
1974211
1975196
1976215
1977232
1978215
1979251
1980269
1981261
1982274
1983298
1984249
1985220
1986204
1987202
1988249
1989320
1990363
1991350
1992364
1993401
1994575
1995725
1996821
1997752
1998801
1999889
2000970
20011,101
20021,110
20031,018
2004975
20051,017
20061,124
20071,129
20081,134
20091,056
20101,251
20111,245
20121,278
20131,222
20141,288
20151,293
20161,366
20171,535
20181,586
20191,855
20202,001
20212,165
20222,369
20232,513
20242,893