"God will increase, God will add"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Josey
Pronunciation: [ j-OHZ-ee ]
Girl Name
#2,339 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A charming vintage diminutive with frontier spirit
English
American
Vintage
Sweet
Playful
Classic
Southern
Meaning & Origin
"diminutive of Josephine"
Origin: English
Language: English
The Story of Josey
Josey is a variant spelling of Josie, itself a diminutive of Josephine, which derives from the Hebrew Yoseph (Joseph), meaning 'God will add' or 'God will increase.' The name Joseph/Yoseph appears in the Old Testament as the patriarch sold into slavery by his brothers who later rose to prominence in Egypt. Josephine was popularized by Napoleon's empress, and the diminutive Josie/Josey carries all of this history in a folksy, warm package.
Josie and its variant Josey have experienced a revival in the 2010s-2020s as parents rediscover vintage diminutive names with a homespun charm (Sadie, Ellie, Maisie follow the same pattern). The Clint Eastwood Western 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' (1976) and various country songs have kept the name in cultural memory.
Josey Wales became an iconic American name through the 1976 Clint Eastwood film, making Josey synonymous with frontier independence and grit. As a girl's name, Josey connects to the warm tradition of Southern American pet names that remain in use for adults.
Fun Facts
- 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' (1976) is one of Clint Eastwood's most celebrated films
- Josephine, the full name, was Napoleon Bonaparte's beloved first wife and Empress of France
- The name Joseph appears over 200 times in the Bible, making it one of the most historically significant names
Josey in Other Languages
French
Joséphine
German
Josefine
Hebrew
יוסף (Yoseph)
Italian
Giuseppina
Spanish
Josefina
Famous People Named Josey
J
Josey Scott
Musician
1965
Lead singer of the rock band Saliva, known for collaborations on film soundtracks
J
Josey Wales Fictional
Other
The legendary outlaw protagonist of Clint Eastwood's 1976 Western film
J
Josie and the Pussycats Fictional
Other
Comic book and animated series characters (Archie Comics, later film), popularized the Josie sound
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,339
- Total SSA Count
- 79
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jo
Jos
Pairs Well With
Josey Grace
Josey Mae
Josey Lynn
Josey Anne
Josey Belle
Josey Kate
Josey Wren
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Josey is also used as a boy name, ranked #4052.
View Josey as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Josey
What does the name Josey mean?
"God will increase, God will add" (from Hebrew). "diminutive of Josephine" (from English). Josey is a variant spelling of Josie, itself a diminutive of Josephine, which derives from the Hebrew Yoseph (Joseph), meaning 'God will add' or 'God will increase.' The name Joseph/Yoseph appears in the Old Testament as the patriarch sold into slavery by his brothers who later rose to prominence in Egypt. Josephine was popularized by Napoleon's empress, and the diminutive Josie/Josey carries all of this history in a folksy, warm package.
What is the origin of the name Josey?
Josey has Hebrew, English, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "God will increase, God will add". In English, it means "diminutive of Josephine".
Is Josey a boy or girl name?
Josey is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2339. As a boy name, it is ranked #4052. 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 #2339 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Josey?
Common nicknames for Josey include Jo and Jos.
What are good middle names for Josey?
Popular middle name pairings include Josey Grace, Josey Mae, Josey Lynn, Josey Anne, Josey Belle, Josey Kate, and Josey Wren.
What are good sibling names for Josey?
Names that pair well with Josey as siblings include Willa, Sadie, Maisie, Clover, Beau, Wilder, and Daisy.
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 #2339 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Josey
Josey is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "God will increase, God will add" in Hebrew .
Is Josey a boy or girl name? Josey is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,339 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #4,052. Josey is more commonly used as a girl name.
Josey is currently ranked #2,339 in popularity for girl 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 Jo and Jos. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Josey include Josephine, Joselyn, Josephina, Josefina, Josette . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.