Declining since 2001, #95 for boys today.
Popularity of Jose since 1880
Babies named Jose per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 910 |
| 1890s | 947 |
| 1900s | 1,627 |
| 1910s | 5,899 |
| 1920s | 14,447 |
| 1930s | 12,298 |
| 1940s | 16,818 |
| 1950s | 31,440 |
| 1960s | 42,043 |
| 1970s | 66,390 |
| 1980s | 86,647 |
| 1990s | 119,042 |
| 2000s | 115,743 |
| 2010s | 55,186 |
| 2020s | 23,075 |
Meaning & origin
Jose is a classic boys' name of Spanish and Portuguese origin, a variant of Joseph meaning 'God will add.' In the United States, Jose has been recorded since 1880 and has consistently been among the most popular Hispanic names. Currently, Jose stands at rank #95 in 2025, given to approximately 1 in every 464 newborn boys. The name reached its peak popularity in 2002, and since then it has been on a gradual downward trajectory, falling from its peak rank over two decades ago. Despite this decline, Jose remains a strong and enduring choice, especially in states with large Hispanic populations such as New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona, where it consistently ranks in the top names. The name's sustained appeal is tied to its biblical roots, cultural significance, and the timeless nature of its sound and meaning.
Jose is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Joseph, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning 'He will add' or 'God shall add.' The name came into Spanish and Portuguese via the Latin Iosephus and Greek Ioseph. It has been consistently popular in the Spanish-speaking world, often given in honor of Saint Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary. In the United States, Jose began appearing in the Social Security data in 1880 and has been a staple among Hispanic communities, maintaining a steady presence in the top 100 for decades.
Where Jose is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Jose” around the world
Where Jose lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
50
babies in 2024
Ireland
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Pepe, Chepe, Pepito
Sibling names for Jose
Names that share Jose's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maria, Carmen, Isabel, Ana, Lucia, Anita, Delores, Dolores, Guadalupe, Juanita, Luz, Susana, Yolanda, Angelita, Arely, Carmelita, Chiquita, Concepcion, Consuelo, Doloris, Dulce, Graciela, Hortencia, Ivelisse, Jaunita, Johana, Josefina, Lizeth, Lupe, Pilar, Reyna, Rosita, Amada, Amparo, Angeles, Azucena, Candelaria, Clarita, Conchita, Damita, Dominga, Felisa, Gregoria, Janita, Jesusa, Jesusita, Josefa, Jovita, Junita, Lourdes, Maricruz, Marilu, Marysol, Migdalia, Nallely, Refugia, Sanjuana, Sanjuanita, Santa, Sarita, Sulema, Tomasa, Yarely, Yulissa, Zoila, Analuisa, Anyeli, Asucena, Carmencita, Clemencia, Conception, Delmy, Deloras, Dorita, Dulcemaria, Esperansa, Esthela, Florita, Ibeth, Johanny, Juanda, Luisana, Lurdes, Mariadelcarmen, Mariaguadalupe, Marisabel, Marisel, Marycruz, Paulita, Ramonita, Tomasita, Tonita, Vicenta, Virgen, Yanelis, Yenifer, Yocelin, Agapita, Agueda, Altagracia, Anacristina, Anayely, Asuncion, Barba, Blasa, Brizeyda, Consepcion, Cruzita, Damariz, Josefita, Juanetta, Leidy, Marizol, Marycarmen, Maryuri, Miguelina, Nieves, Odaliz, Piedad, Yaneisy, Yisel, Yissel, Ynez, Marijose, Mija, Monserratt, Yarieliz, Aideliz, Anabelen, Briceyda, Chonita, Delorese, Ercilia, Inocencia, Jerusalen, Juanna, Mariadel, Mariadelaluz, Mariadelosang, Marianita, Mariavictoria, Marielys, Monserrate, Paquita, Sagrario, Solangel, Soyla, Yarelin, Yuleimy
Brothers: Carlos, Miguel, Antonio, Francisco, Juan, Jesus, Julio, Luis, Manuel, Pedro, Ramiro, Ramon, Adan, Efrain, Efren, Isidro, Montez, Ricardo, Dionicio, Fidencio, Hipolito, Jacinto, Juancarlos, Juanpablo, Luisangel, Margarito, Miguelangel, Paulino, Refugio, Rodriquez, Sixto, Ysidro, Abrahan, Ascencion, Cresencio, Encarnacion, Jencarlos, Johncarlos, Jorgeluis, Jorje, Josmar, Juanantonio, Juandiego, Juanito, Juanjose, Juanluis, Juanmanuel, Juliocesar, Magdaleno, Manual, Martinez, Meliton, Merced, Rodriguez, Rogerio, Sanchez, Elijio, Emigdio, Jjesus, Joncarlos, Josean, Juanangel, Juandavid, Jujuan, Luisantonio, Luisfernando, Maicol, Natalio, Pancho, Refujio, Salbador, Ygnacio, Bacilio, Bolivar, Esiquio, Franciscojavier, Hernandez, Joseguadalupe, Jovann, Juandaniel, Luiscarlos, Luismanuel, Sanjuan, Segundo, Serapio, Victormanuel, Yeremi, Ysmael
Names like Jose
Names whose popularity has moved with Jose's over the last 50 years.
