José: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

By Tara Gunn

Updated August 7, 2024

Table of contents

Boy name origins & meanings

What does José mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Spanish: He will add
Hebrew: God will increase

Gender: Male

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name José is pronounced hoh-sey

The name José has its roots in the Spanish and Portuguese forms of Joseph, derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "God will increase." It is widely used in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries and has strong Biblical associations with Saint Joseph. The name signifies prosperity and divine promise, contributing to its enduring popularity across generations.

Boy name variations

How Popular Is The Name José

Family name origins & meanings

Spanish, Portuguese, French (José): from the personal name José, equivalent to Joseph.

English: variant of Joyce.

José in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

José "Pepe" Mujica from Futuro, a novel by Federico Andahazi - A fictionalized version of the real-life Uruguayan political figure, presented as an idealistic and principled former president.
José Ramos from Badlands USA - A rugged protagonist of this television series who seeks justice in a lawless desert town.
José Carioca from The Three Caballeros - A charming Brazilian parrot who befriends Donald Duck and shows him the vibrant sights of Latin America.
José Cuervo from Living on the Edge - A spirited bartender who becomes an unexpected hero in this action-comedy series.
José Martinez from The Wild Ones - A compassionate social worker navigating a post-apocalyptic world in this gritty graphic novel series.

Popularity of the Name José

According to Social Security Administration data, José has been a consistently popular name in the United States, frequently appearing in the top 100 names. However, it has seen a slight decline in recent years but remains a staple among Spanish-speaking communities.

Historically, José is deeply rooted in religious tradition, being the Spanish and Portuguese form of Joseph, a prominent figure in the Bible. Notable people named José include baseball legend José Canseco, musician José Feliciano, and Nobel Prize-winning author José Saramago. Fictional characters named José also appear in various media, such as José Carioca from Disney’s The Three Caballeros.