"God will increase"
Origin: Hebrew via Latin
Language: Spanish
Jose
Pronunciation: [ h-ohz-AY ]
Does Jose flow with your last name?
A timeless Spanish name meaning God will increase
Spanish
Latin American
Portuguese
Filipino
Classic
Traditional
Earthy
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Jose
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"God will increase, God will add"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Spanish
"God will add"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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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.
Historical Record
Jose first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 535,834 babies have been named Jose in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jose is past its peak , currently ranked #91 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#91
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2004
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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
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Compare Jose with:
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
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Pepe
Che
Joe
Joey
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jose
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Jose is also used as a girl name, ranked #38938.
View Jose as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Spanish)
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Greek origin
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Joseph
Boy
Hebrew origin
"may God give increase"
#32 in US
Miguel
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Hebrew origin
"who is like God?"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jose
What does the name Jose mean?
"God will increase" (from Hebrew via Latin). "God will increase, God will add" (from Hebrew). "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 via Latin, Hebrew, Spanish, Latin American, Portuguese, and Filipino origins. In Hebrew via Latin, it means "God will increase". In Hebrew, it means "God will increase, God will add". 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.
What boy names are similar to Jose?
About the Name Jose
Jose is a boy name with Spanish, Latin American, Portuguese, and Filipino origins . The name means "God will increase" in Hebrew via Latin .
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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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis