Josafat
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 449 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Jehoshaphat
Josafat is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, the Spanish form of Jehoshaphat, meaning 'Yahweh has judged' or 'God is judge.'
Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah in the Old Testament, known for his religious reforms and alliance with Israel. The name appears in Catholic Spanish-speaking communities as a traditional devotional choice, keeping alive the full scope of the Old Testament naming tradition.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Josafat is a boy's name with several decades of recorded use (1986–2024). Its Hebrew roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Josafat is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #11562), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Josafat was #6324 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #11562, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 57 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 134 | — |
| 2000s | 141 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 106 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 11 | — |
The Story of Josafat
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2003, Josafat is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Josafat are most likely born between 1993 and 2013.
How rare is Josafat?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Josafat — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1986, peaked in the 2000s with 141 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Josafat by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Josafat per day would take 1.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(36 years, 1986–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #11562 |
| 2023 | 17 | #5558 |
| 2022 | 10 | #8018 |
| 2021 | 12 | #6878 |
| 2020 | 12 | #6801 |
| 2019 | 14 | #6241 |
| 2018 | 9 | #8472 |
| 2017 | 17 | #5398 |
| 2016 | 12 | #6919 |
| 2015 | 7 | #10045 |
| 2014 | 16 | #5583 |
| 2013 | 17 | #5282 |
| 2012 | 17 | #5368 |
| 2011 | 11 | #7228 |
| 2010 | 14 | #6199 |
| 2009 | 14 | #6256 |
| 2008 | 13 | #6578 |
| 2007 | 16 | #5552 |
| 2006 | 11 | #7164 |
| 2005 | 15 | #5429 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Josafat a boy's or girl's name?
When was Josafat most popular?
How popular is the name Josafat?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1986–2024