Holding steady.
Popularity of Josph since 1916
Babies named Josph per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1957, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Josph's real moment was 1926.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 12 |
| 1920s | 44 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 34 |
| 1950s | 100 |
| 1960s | 53 |
| 1970s | 37 |
| 1980s | 58 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Josph is an exceptionally rare spelling variant of the classic name Joseph. According to U.S. Social Security data, it first appeared in 1916 and reached a peak in 1926, but its usage has remained minimal, with no rank in the top 1000. In the 1920s, it saw modest use, yet even then it was not common. The name's trajectory has been stable at near-zero frequency for decades. As of 2025, fewer than 5 boys received this name. Given its rarity, Josph holds a unique appeal for parents seeking a distinctive twist on a biblical name without straying far from tradition.
Josph appears to be a rare spelling variant of Joseph, a name with deep biblical roots. The name Joseph derives from the Hebrew Yosef, 'He will add,' and was borne by the son of Jacob in the Old Testament and the earthly father of Jesus in the New Testament. This particular spelling is a truncation or transcription variant, likely arising from informal usage or clerical recording in the early 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jo, Joey
Sibling names for Josph
Names that share Josph's style, for a brother or sister.
