Josephine

Meaning: he will add (feminine of Joseph) · Origin: Hebrew (via French) · Gender: usually a girl's name

Origin & history

The French feminine of Joseph, from Hebrew Yosef, 'he will add'. Joséphine de Beauharnais, Napoleon's first wife, made it famous.

Famous people named Josephine

Joséphine de Beauharnais (Empress of the French)
Josephine Baker (performer)

Nicknames

Josie, Jo, Posy

Variants & related names

Josefina, Giuseppina, Josefine

Josephine name art

A free preview of a printable “Josephine” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Josephine mean?

Josephine means “he will add (feminine of Joseph)”. It comes from Hebrew (via French).

Is Josephine a popular name?

Yes — Josephine has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Josephine?

Josie, Jo, Posy.

What are other forms of Josephine?

Josefina, Giuseppina, Josefine.

Similar names

Elisa · Eliza · Elliana · Elizabeth · Abigail · Naomi

More: names starting with J · all girls' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.