Josefa Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Josefa is a feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning 'God will increase'. It evolved from the Hebrew Yosef through Latin and Old French into its current form. The name carries traits of strength and nurturing and has biblical relevance through its association with Joseph. It gained popularity in the Spanish-speaking world in the 19th and 20th centuries, and notable figures bear this name.
The name Josefa is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Josefa has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Josefa' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 848th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1089th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1820th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2939th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4807th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 9219th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 10335th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Josefa' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Josefa"
Pronunciation
/hoʊˈzɛfə/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Josefa is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, which means 'God will increase' or 'God will add'.
Meaning
God will increase
Language Evolution
Yosef (Hebrew), Ioseph (Latin), Joseph (Old French), Josefa (Spanish/Portuguese)
Biblical Background
Josefa is the feminine form of Joseph, a significant figure in the Bible known for his coat of many colors and his role in the story of Egypt.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Spanish-speaking world, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries, as it became associated with various saints and cultural figures.
Variants & Derivatives
Jose, Josef, Josephine, Josie
Modern Popularity & Image
Josefa is viewed positively, often associated with strength and nurturing qualities, reflecting its biblical roots and cultural significance.
Famous People
Josefa Segovia, a notable Spanish painter, Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, a Mexican revolutionary figure
Explore More Josefa Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Josefa"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Josefa"
"Josefa" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 848th of 9107 | 1,277 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1089th of 9204 | 850 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1820th of 12526 | 652 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2939th of 19264 | 388 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4807th of 27321 | 293 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 9219th of 35406 | 179 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 10335th of 30306 | 112 |
Regional Popularity of "Josefa" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Josefa" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
22.70% 537th/2366 |
52.71% 602nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
25.58% 602nd/2353 |
68.33% 1057th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
85.51% 2078th/2430 |
34.03% 971st/2853 |
72.00% 1998th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
95.27% 2798th/2937 |
85.33% 2972nd/3483 |
41.79% 1470th/3518 |
53.98% 2183rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
100.00% 3685th/3685 |
- |
60.40% 3137th/5194 |
43.80% 2767th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
100.00% 7313th/7313 |
100.00% 7463rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Josefa"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Josefa" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.