How Many People Are Named Josef?
Complete statistics for the name Josef: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Josef means 'God will increase' and it's very rare, with only 1 in 40,958 Americans having this name. That's just 8,057 people in the US today, making it stand out. Interestingly, 41% of those named Josef are under 30, giving it a modern twist.
📖 Meaning & Origin
People with the life path number 1 are natural leaders who inspire others.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 38All 9,112 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1999Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Josef Through the Generations
Since its peak in 1999 with 220 births, Josef has seen a steady decline, yet it remains a name between classic and modern. With an estimated 8,057 people named Josef living in the US, the age distribution shows 3,778 under 30, 3,991 aged 30-60, and 1,343 over 60, indicating a younger demographic. This trend suggests that while it's not as popular as it once was, it's still favored by some parents looking for a unique but familiar name.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Josef
Josef is a variant of the male given name Joseph, notably used in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Switzerland. The name also appears in Scandinavia. Notable people with the surname include:…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Josef's German roots
📄 About the Name Josef
How Many People Have the Name Josef?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 414 people in the United States currently share the name Josef. That works out to roughly 1 in every 800,602 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Josef a Common or Rare Name?
Josef is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Josef Mean?
Josef means "God will increase" and comes from German origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 1.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Josef in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Josef Most Popular?
The name Josef reached peak popularity in 1999, with 220 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Josef?
Approximately 414 people named Josef live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 414. That works out to roughly 1 in 800,602 Americans.
Is Josef a rare name?
Josef is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 800,602 Americans has this name.
What does the name Josef mean?
Josef means "God will increase" and comes from German origins.
Is Josef more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Josef are male and 0% are female.
When was Josef most popular?
Josef peaked in 1999 with 220 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.