"God will add, may He add"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Josefine
An empress's name with timeless Scandinavian grace
Scandinavian
German
Danish
Elegant
Vintage
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"feminine form of Joseph"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
The Story of Josefine
Josefine is the Scandinavian and German spelling of Josephine, the feminine form of Joseph, derived from the Hebrew Yosef meaning God will add or may He add. The name entered widespread use after Joséphine de Beauharnais became Napoleon Bonaparte's first wife and Empress of France in 1804, transforming it from a modest biblical name into a symbol of imperial elegance. The Josefine spelling is standard in Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Josefine has been consistently popular across Scandinavia for over a century. In recent years it has been rising in Germany and German-speaking countries as parents embrace vintage names with international flair. The elegant -ine ending and multiple nickname options make it a versatile favorite for modern families seeking classic European style.
Empress Joséphine (1763-1814) made this name synonymous with refined imperial elegance. Born in Martinique, she became France's first Empress and a major patron of the arts. In Scandinavia, the name has its own independent tradition and is particularly associated with Sweden's Princess Josefine.
Fun Facts
- Empress Joséphine was Napoleon's greatest love — he reportedly said Joséphine on his deathbed
- Queen Victoria of Britain had Josephine as one of her middle names
- Princess Josefine of Denmark, born 2011, has helped revive the name's popularity
Josefine in Other Languages
Danish
Josefine
French
Joséphine
Hebrew
יוסיפה
Italian
Giuseppina
Spanish
Josefina
Popularity Over Time
#5,760
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Josefine
P
Princess Josephine of Denmark
Royalty
2011
Youngest daughter of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark
J
Josephine Baker
Entertainer
1906
American-born French entertainer, civil rights activist, and World War II spy known as The Black Pearl of Paris
J
Joséphine de Beauharnais
Royalty
1763
First wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress of France from 1804-1809, patron of arts and fashion
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #5,760
- Total SSA Count
- 22
- Cultural Origins
- Scandinavian German Danish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Josie
Fina
Fini
Jo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Scandinavian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, German heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, German heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Scandinavian)
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Josefine
What does the name Josefine mean?
"God will add, may He add" (from Hebrew). "feminine form of Joseph" (from Latin). Josefine is the Scandinavian and German spelling of Josephine, the feminine form of Joseph, derived from the Hebrew Yosef meaning God will add or may He add. The name entered widespread use after Joséphine de Beauharnais became Napoleon Bonaparte's first wife and Empress of France in 1804, transforming it from a modest biblical name into a symbol of imperial elegance. The Josefine spelling is standard in Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
What is the origin of the name Josefine?
Josefine has Hebrew, Latin, Scandinavian, German, and Danish origins. In Hebrew, it means "God will add, may He add". In Latin, it means "feminine form of Joseph".
Is Josefine a boy or girl name?
Josefine is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Josefine?
Josefine is currently ranked #5760 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Josefine?
Common nicknames for Josefine include Josie, Fina, Fini, and Jo.
What are good middle names for Josefine?
Popular middle name pairings include Josefine Marie, Josefine Anna, Josefine Sofia, Josefine Elisabeth, Josefine Katharina, and Josefine Ingrid.
What are good sibling names for Josefine?
Names that pair well with Josefine as siblings include Mathilde, Astrid, Sigrid, Emil, Gustav, and Henrik.
How many syllables does Josefine have?
Josefine has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Josefine a common or rare name?
Josefine is an uncommon name, ranked #5760 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Josefine
Josefine is a girl name with Scandinavian, German, and Danish origins . The name means "God will add, may He add" in Hebrew .
Josefine is currently ranked #5,760 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Josefine has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Josefine include Josie, Fina, Fini, and Jo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Josefine include Josephine, Joselyn, Josephina, Josefina, Josette . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.