Meaning, origin, history
Josephine is a unique and distinctive name of French origin. It is derived from the French name Joseph, which itself has Hebrew origins meaning "God will increase" or "He shall add." The feminine form Josephine was popularized by Napoleon Bonaparte's wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais, who was born Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie and later became Empress of France. This association with a powerful historical figure has helped to solidify Josephine as a timeless and elegant name choice for girls. Despite its French roots, Josephine has been adopted by many cultures around the world and is often seen as a sophisticated yet approachable option for parents looking for an uncommon yet classic name for their daughter.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Josiephene since 1880
Total births
5
Total since 1880
Peak year
1935
5 births
in 1935
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
→
vs previous 5 years