Josephine, of Latin origin, is derived from the masculine name Joseph, which means 'God will increase.' The female variant has been popularized by historical figures such as Josephine de Beauharnais, Empress consort of France and first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. In literature, it's associated with characters like Josephine March in Louisa May Alcott's 'Little Women.' Josephine is often shortened to Josie or Joey, offering charming nickname options.
The name Josephine was quite popular at the start of the 20th century, with a peak of 23 births in 1922. However, its popularity declined significantly over time, with only 5 births recorded in recent years such as 2008 and 2013. In total, there were 628 babies named Josephine between 1908 and 2013.