Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1923

Josephus

Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists

From Latin Iōsēphus, from Ancient Greek Ἰώσηπος (Iṓsēpos), Ἰωσήφ (Iōsḗph).

Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Josephus
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1923
28 babies
All-time total
1,211
#4,557 all-time among boys
First recorded
1882
in Social Security records

Josephus popularity over time

1,211 babies have been named Josephus since 1882, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1897Boys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade Boys Per year Change Best rank
1880s 35 4 – #848
1890s 24 2 -31% #825
1900s 18 2 -25% #1,165
1910s 143 14 +694% #1,164
1920s 206 21 +44% #1,402
1930s 156 16 -24% #1,585
1940s 157 16 +1% #1,482
1950s 140 14 -11% #1,590
1960s 94 9 -33% #2,169
1970s 89 9 -5% #2,883
1980s 59 6 -34% #3,395
1990s 46 5 -22% #4,834
2000s 21 2 -54% #10,619
2010s 12 1 -43% #10,160
2020s (to 2025) 11 2 +53% #11,398

The story of Josephus

Josephus is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1882, 1,211 American babies have been named Josephus. Its peak came in 1923, when 28 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1920s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Josephus stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Josephus?

The median living Josephus is about 60 years old; half are between 44 and 74. An estimated 500 people named Josephus are alive in the United States today.

median 60 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Josephus year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 – –
2024 – –
2023 5 #13,132
2022 – –
2021 6 #11,398
2020 – –
2019 – –
2018 – –
2017 5 #13,187
2016 – –
2015 – –
2014 – –
2013 – –
2012 – –
2011 7 #10,160
2010 – –
2009 – –
2008 5 #13,526
2007 – –
2006 – –
2005 – –
2004 6 #10,619
2003 – –
2002 5 #11,546
2001 5 #11,425
2000 – –
1995 5 #9,541
1990 11 #4,834
1985 8 #4,920
1980 11 #3,728
1975 10 #3,539
1970 10 #3,172
1965 7 #3,398
1960 15 #2,169
1955 15 #2,093
1950 22 #1,590
1945 16 #1,733
1940 19 #1,600
1935 8 #2,823
1930 17 #1,864
1925 19 #1,841
1920 20 #1,792
1915 26 #1,324
1910 9 #1,164
1905 – –
1900 – –
1895 5 #1,170
1890 6 #947
1885 6 #882
1880 – –

Famous people named Josephus

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

  1. 1 Josephus Josephus Roman–Jewish historian and military leader (c. 37 – c. 100) Antiquity
  2. 2 Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti Austrian naturalist and zoologist 1735–1805 · 18th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Josephus, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Josephus?

The median living Josephus is about 60 years old. Half of all living Josephuss are between 44 and 74 years old.

How many people named Josephus are alive today?

An estimated 500 people named Josephus are alive in the United States, based on 1,211 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Josephus mean?

From Latin Iōsēphus, from Ancient Greek Ἰώσηπος (Iṓsēpos), Ἰωσήφ (Iōsḗph).

How popular is the name Josephus in 2025?

Josephus did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Josephus?

1,211 babies have been named Josephus in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Josephus most popular?

Josephus peaked in 1923, when 28 newborns received the name.

Is Josephus a boy or girl name?

Josephus is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Josephus rising or falling?

Josephus is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Josephus?

Well-known people named Josephus include Josephus (historian), Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti (biologist).

Names like Josephus

Names that sound and feel close to Josephus: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Josephus with similar names → More names starting with J →