Josep
A boy's name of Spanish origin with 155 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Joseph (Biblical figure)
Josep is a boy's baby name of Catalan origin, the Catalan form of Joseph, meaning 'God will add' or 'God will increase' — from the Hebrew Yosef.
Josep is the standard form of Joseph in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, carried by figures like Josep Maria Miró and other notable Catalans. It's a name deeply embedded in Catalan cultural identity, distinguishing itself from the Spanish José while sharing the same biblical roots.
EtymologyShow more
Josep is built from 5 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Spanish naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Josep creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Josep has 23+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1935.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 19 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 49 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 27 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 11 | — |
| 1980s | 12 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 11 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 13 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 7 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 6 | — |
The Story of Josep
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2011, Josep is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Josep are most likely born between 2001 and 2021.
How rare is Josep?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Josep — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1935, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 49 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Josep by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(23 years, 1935–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #11565 |
| 2023 | 7 | #10200 |
| 2022 | 6 | #11529 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10162 |
| 2017 | 5 | #13181 |
| 2014 | 5 | #13003 |
| 2013 | 6 | #11418 |
| 2012 | 9 | #8487 |
| 2011 | 17 | #5311 |
| 2009 | 9 | #8644 |
| 2003 | 5 | #11773 |
| 2001 | 7 | #8731 |
| 2000 | 6 | #9671 |
| 1992 | 5 | #9080 |
| 1991 | 6 | #7731 |
| 1987 | 6 | #6512 |
| 1984 | 6 | #5952 |
| 1978 | 5 | #6272 |
| 1970 | 6 | #4485 |
| 1963 | 7 | #3485 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1935–2024