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Jose

Pronunciation: [ h-ohz-AY ]

Boy Name #91 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

A timeless Spanish name meaning God will increase

Spanish Latin American Portuguese Filipino
Classic Traditional Earthy Strong

Meaning & Origin

"God will increase, God will add"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Spanish
"God will increase"
Origin: Hebrew via Latin
Language: Spanish
"God will add"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew

The Story of Jose

Jose is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Joseph, which comes from the Hebrew name Yosef meaning God will add or God will increase. In the Bible, Joseph was the son of Jacob who was sold into slavery in Egypt but rose to become a powerful official. The name spread through Spanish colonization across the Americas and Pacific.

Jose has been a top-10 name in the Hispanic community in the US for generations and consistently ranks in the overall top 100. It reflects the deep Catholic tradition of naming children after saints, particularly Saint Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus.

In Spanish-speaking cultures, Jose is one of the most traditional and revered names, closely tied to Saint Joseph, patron saint of workers and fathers. The feast of Saint Joseph on March 19 is celebrated across Latin America.

Fun Facts

  • Jose is consistently one of the top 5 most common names in Spanish-speaking countries
  • The diminutive Pepe is used throughout Spain and Latin America
  • Saint Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, making Jose a deeply sacred name in Catholic tradition

Jose in Other Languages

Arabic Yusuf
French Joseph
German Josef
Hebrew Yosef
English Joseph
Italian Giuseppe
Portuguese Jose

Famous People Named Jose

J

Jose Altuve

Athlete

1990

Venezuelan MLB star and World Series champion with the Houston Astros

J

José Mourinho

Athlete

1963

Portuguese football manager known as The Special One, won trophies at Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid

J

Jose Mourinho

Athlete

1963

Legendary Portuguese football manager known as The Special One

J

José Carreras

Musician

1946

Spanish operatic tenor and one of the Three Tenors along with Pavarotti and Domingo

J

José Martí

Writer

1853

Cuban poet, philosopher, and national hero who led the independence movement against Spain

J

Jose Marti

Writer

1853

Cuban poet and revolutionary hero, national symbol of Cuba

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#91
Total SSA Count
3,768
Cultural Origins
Spanish Latin American Portuguese Filipino
Pronunciation
Moderate
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Pepe Che Joe Joey

Pairs Well With

Jose Luis Jose Antonio Jose Miguel Jose Angel Jose Carlos Jose Manuel Jose Alejandro

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Jose is also used as a girl name, ranked #38938.

View Jose as a girl name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Jose

What does the name Jose mean?
"God will increase, God will add" (from Hebrew). "God will increase" (from Hebrew via Latin). "God will add" (from Hebrew). Jose is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Joseph, which comes from the Hebrew name Yosef meaning God will add or God will increase. In the Bible, Joseph was the son of Jacob who was sold into slavery in Egypt but rose to become a powerful official. The name spread through Spanish colonization across the Americas and Pacific.
What is the origin of the name Jose?
Jose has Hebrew, Hebrew via Latin, Spanish, Latin American, Portuguese, and Filipino origins. In Hebrew, it means "God will increase, God will add". In Hebrew via Latin, it means "God will increase". In Hebrew, it means "God will add".
Is Jose a boy or girl name?
Jose is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #91. As a girl name, it is ranked #38938. Jose is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jose?
Jose is pronounced h-ohz-AY.
How popular is the name Jose?
Jose is currently ranked #91 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jose?
Common nicknames for Jose include Pepe, Che, Joe, and Joey.
What are good middle names for Jose?
Popular middle name pairings include Jose Luis, Jose Antonio, Jose Miguel, Jose Angel, Jose Carlos, Jose Manuel, and Jose Alejandro.
What are good sibling names for Jose?
Names that pair well with Jose as siblings include Maria, Carmen, Luis, Carlos, Sofia, Ana, and Miguel.
How many syllables does Jose have?
Jose has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jose a common or rare name?
Jose is a very popular name, ranked #91 among boy names in the United States.

About the Name Jose

Jose is a boy name with Spanish, Latin American, Portuguese, and Filipino origins . The name means "God will increase, God will add" in Hebrew .

Is Jose a boy or girl name? Jose is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #91 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #38,938. Jose is more commonly used as a boy name.

Jose is currently ranked #91 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Jose has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-ohz-AY, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Jose include Pepe, Che, Joe, and Joey. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Jose include Joseph, Josiah, Joshua, Josue, Josias . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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