Rising since 1988, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Josafat since 1986
Babies named Josafat per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 11 |
| 1990s | 106 |
| 2000s | 141 |
| 2010s | 134 |
| 2020s | 67 |
Meaning & origin
Josafat is a biblical name with strong religious and historical roots, representing a Spanish and Portuguese adaptation of the Old Testament name Jehoshaphat. Though rarely used in the English-speaking world, it has maintained a consistent presence among Hispanic families in the United States since first appearing on birth records in 1986. The name reached its peak popularity in 2003 and has been gradually rising in usage since 1988. In 2025, it ranked 7679 with an estimated 1 in 170,808 male births. The name is most commonly found in Texas, reflecting its cultural ties to the Mexican-American community. Parents choosing Josafat often appreciate its distinctive sound and deep spiritual meaning.
Josafat is a Spanish and Portuguese form of Jehoshaphat, a biblical name meaning 'Yahweh has judged' in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah known for his piety and military reforms. The name was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula through Christian tradition and has been used primarily in Spanish-speaking communities.
Where Josafat is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Josa, Joss
Variants: Jehoshaphat, Joshaphat
Sibling names for Josafat
Names that share Josafat's style, for a brother or sister.
