Josie is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God shall increase." It is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, which means "he will add" or "he shall increase." The name Josie has a rich history dating back to biblical times.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, Joseph was one of the twelve sons of Jacob. He was known for his coat of many colors and his ability to interpret dreams. According to tradition, God granted him the ability to multiply and prosper, hence the meaning of his name.
The name Josie gained popularity in the United States during the late 19th century, particularly among Jewish families who were drawn to its biblical origins and positive connotations. However, it was not until the mid-20th century that the name began to be used more widely for girls, perhaps due to its diminutive and feminine sound.
Today, Josie is considered a unisex name, although it is still more commonly used for girls. It has been ranked among the top 1,000 names for babies in recent years, indicating that it continues to be popular among parents looking for a name with biblical roots and positive meaning. Overall, Josie is a name with a long history and deep significance, making it a strong choice for parents seeking a meaningful name for their child.
Over the span of these statistics (1880 to 2023), the name Josie experienced a significant increase in popularity among parents choosing names for their newborn daughters. The lowest point was in 1880 with 141 births, and the highest peak occurred in 2023 with 2504 births. This indicates that while Josie may not have been a common name initially, it gained substantial traction over time, reaching an all-time high recently. The total number of births named Josie over this period is 69,407.