"God will add, increase"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Josey
Pronunciation: [ j-OHZ-ee ]
Does Josey flow with your last name?
A rootsy, Americana twist on the classic Joseph
American
English
Irish
Vintage
Playful
Earthy
Casual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"may Jehovah add"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Josey
Josey is a diminutive form of Joseph, which comes from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning God will add or God will increase. While Joseph has been a top biblical name for millennia, Josey developed as an informal, Americanized variant in the 19th and 20th centuries, carrying a frontier and folk-music spirit.
Josey gained cultural traction through the 1976 Clint Eastwood film The Outlaw Josey Wales, cementing it as an Americana name. Its use remains modest but steady, favored by parents wanting a Joseph nickname as a standalone given name.
In American folk and country music traditions, Josey evokes a rugged, independent spirit. It also has gentle Irish ties as a diminutive of the similarly pronounced Josie/Joseph.
Historical Record
Josey first appeared in US Social Security records in 1976.
Over 992 babies have been named Josey in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Josey is past its peak , currently ranked #4,052 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The 1976 film The Outlaw Josey Wales brought the name into mainstream pop culture
- Josey is one of the few masculine names ending in -ey that retains a distinctly rugged feel
Josey in Other Languages
Arabic
Yusuf
French
Joseph
German
Josef
Italian
Giuseppe
Spanish
Jose
Popularity Over Time
#4,052
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1988
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Josey
J
Josey Scott
Musician
1972
Lead vocalist of American rock band Saliva
J
Josey Wales Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the 1976 Clint Eastwood Western film The Outlaw Josey Wales
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Compare Josey with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,052
- Total SSA Count
- 27
- Cultural Origins
- American English Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Joe
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Josey
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Josey is also used as a girl name, ranked #2339.
View Josey as a girl name →Similar Names
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Ancient Egyptian origin
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Germanic origin
"firebrand, sword blade"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Josey
What does the name Josey mean?
"God will add, increase" (from Hebrew). "may Jehovah add" (from Biblical Hebrew). Josey is a diminutive form of Joseph, which comes from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning God will add or God will increase. While Joseph has been a top biblical name for millennia, Josey developed as an informal, Americanized variant in the 19th and 20th centuries, carrying a frontier and folk-music spirit.
What is the origin of the name Josey?
Josey has Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, American, English, and Irish origins. In Hebrew, it means "God will add, increase". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "may Jehovah add".
Is Josey a boy or girl name?
Josey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4052. As a girl name, it is ranked #2339. Josey is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Josey?
Josey is pronounced j-OHZ-ee.
How popular is the name Josey?
Josey is currently ranked #4052 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Josey?
Common nicknames for Josey include Joe.
What are good middle names for Josey?
Popular middle name pairings include Josey James, Josey Ray, Josey Lee, Josey Dean, Josey Cole, and Josey Wayne.
What are good sibling names for Josey?
Names that pair well with Josey as siblings include Daisy, Huck, Beau, Ruby, Scout, and Clem.
How many syllables does Josey have?
Josey has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Josey a common or rare name?
Josey is an uncommon name, ranked #4052 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Josey?
About the Name Josey
Josey is a boy name with American, English, and Irish origins . The name means "God will add, increase" in Hebrew .
Is Josey a boy or girl name? Josey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,052 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,339. Josey is more commonly used as a girl name.
Josey is currently ranked #4,052 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Josey has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-OHZ-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Josey include Joe. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Josey include Joseph, Jose, Josef, Joseluis . 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