Declining since 1999, #2,833 for boys today.
Popularity of Josef since 1900
Babies named Josef per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 43 |
| 1910s | 173 |
| 1920s | 162 |
| 1930s | 135 |
| 1940s | 172 |
| 1950s | 335 |
| 1960s | 554 |
| 1970s | 1,026 |
| 1980s | 1,559 |
| 1990s | 1,789 |
| 2000s | 1,834 |
| 2010s | 1,011 |
| 2020s | 365 |
Meaning & origin
Josef is a classic European variant of Joseph, most common in German-speaking countries and Scandinavia. In the United States, it has maintained steady but modest use, ranking 2,833 in 2025, with a peak in 1999. Approximately 1 in 38,820 newborn boys are named Josef, reflecting its status as a distinctive alternative to the more common Joseph. The name is most prevalent in states with large German-American populations, such as New York and Texas. Its trajectory has been falling since its peak in 1999, suggesting a gradual decline in favor, but it remains a familiar and respected choice, often chosen to honor family heritage or the biblical figure.
Josef is a German and Scandinavian form of Joseph, from the Hebrew name Yosef meaning 'He will add,' a reference to the biblical matriarch Rachel's desire for another son. The name Joseph appears in the Old Testament as the favored son of Jacob and in the New Testament as the husband of Mary. Josef has been widely used across German-speaking countries and Scandinavia for centuries, often honoring Saint Joseph.
Where Josef 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.
“Josef” around the world
Where Josef lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jo, Sepp, Jupp, Jose
Sibling names for Josef
Names that share Josef's style, for a brother or sister.
