Josephine

Josephine is a derivative of Josefa or Josepha, the feminine form of the biblical name Joseph.

What does the name Josephine mean?

Josephine is a derivative of Josefa or Josepha, the feminine form of the biblical name Joseph. The name means 'God may add' in the sense of 'God may (still) add a daughter'. Its origin lies in the ancient Hebrew word component yehôsêph (יוֹסֵף) meaning 'may he (God) add', 'he will increase', 'God will add', or 'God has added', which in turn is based on the root yâsaph (יָסַף) meaning 'to add', 'to increase', 'to elevate', or 'to do again'. The girl's name Josephine is widely used in German, English, and French (Joséphine) linguistic areas. In Germany, the name was already among the most popular girls' names in the 19th century, but then fell out of fashion and was only rediscovered as a female baby name at the end of the 20th century. Meanwhile, the name is now commonly given in both spellings with 'ph' (Josephine) and 'f' (Josefine). Popular short forms of Josephine include Phine as well as the English pet forms Josey, Josi, Josie, and Josy. Other variants of Josephine or Josefa include Giuseppina, Josefin, Josefina, Josephin, Josephina, Jozefa, Jozefin, and Jozefina.

Where does the name Josephine come from?

Etymology The feminine first name Josephine has its roots in the biblical original name Joseph and the ancient Hebrew elements jo (God) and jasaf (to add, to increase). Ancient Hebrew

How do you pronounce Josephine?

Sound & pronunciation of Josephine: The name Josephine unfolds melodically in four to five syllables. In German pronunciation, it is usually spoken as 'Jo-se-phi-ne' [jozɛˈfiːnə], with the long 'fi' syllable carrying the emphasis. The flowing vowel sequence gives the name elegance. Josephine appears classic yet modern - sonorous, feminine, and present.

When is the name day of Josephine?

Josephine celebrates her name day on February 8 (Josefine Bakhita), March 19 (Joseph of Nazareth), and October 26 (Josephine Leroux).

Popularity

In Germany, the first name Josephine ranked predominantly between the top 300 and top 700 from 1926 to 1992. Particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, it often fell outside the top 500, clearly categorizing it as a rarely given name. A lasting establishment in higher ranking areas was absent during this time. Starting in 1993, there was a significant upswing. The name jumped into the top 50 and even reached 35th place in 1995.

Nicknames & pet names

Biene / Feenie / Fienchen / Fiene / Finchen / Fine / Fini / Jine / Jo / Joe / Joes / Joey / Jofi / Joji / Jojo / Jos / Jose / Josefa / Josefinchen / Joselinchen / Joselito / Josepfinchen / Josi / Josie / Joslyn / Josse / Josy / Mine / Phinchen / Phine / Phinele / Phini / Pine / Sepfi / Sephi / Seppal / Sophie / Sosy / Yoschi

Similar first names

Famous people

• Amaya Josephine Hargitay (daughter of Mariska Hargitay (actress))
• Antonia Ariane Josephine Münchow (German actress)
• Freda Josephine McDonald (ballerina from America)
• Josefine Preuß (German actress)
• Josephine Angelini (US author)
• Josephine Baker (showgirl)
• Josephine Bakhita (1869–1947), saint of the Roman Catholic Church
• Josephine Barstow (English singer)
• Josephine Bradley (Irish dancer)
• Josephine Brandell (British opera singer)
• Josephine Broekhuizen (Dutch painter)
• Josephine Byrnes (actress from the USA)
• Josephine Calamatta (French artist)
• Josephine Chaplin (American actress)
• Josephine Chukwunonye (Nigerian footballer)
• Josephine Clifford McCracken (German writer)
• Josephine Culbertson (American writer)
• Josephine Darrie Schmidt (actress, voice actress)
• Joséphine de Beauharnais (Queen of Sweden and Norway)
• Josephine Earle (American actress)