Jose
Jose first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 2002, when 12,868 boys were given the name; in 2025 there were 3,678.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Jose popular?
Declining Jose is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2002 peak.
| 2020s | 23,075 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 55,186 | |
| 2000s | 115,743 | |
| 1990s | 119,042 | |
| 1980s | 86,647 | |
| 1970s | 66,390 | |
| 1960s | 42,043 | |
| 1950s | 31,440 | |
| 1940s | 16,818 | |
| 1930s | 12,298 | |
| 1920s | 14,447 | |
| 1910s | 5,899 | |
| 1900s | 1,627 | |
| 1890s | 947 | |
| 1880s | 910 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Jose mean?
José is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Joseph, from the Hebrew Yosef, “God will increase.” It is among the most common male names in the Hispanic world.
Nicknames for Jose
- Pepe
- Pepito
Variants & spellings
- José
- Josef
- Joseph
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Jose a boy or a girl name?
Jose is most commonly used as a boy name.
Is Jose a popular name right now?
Jose is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2002 peak.
How popular is the name Jose?
In 2025, Jose ranked #95 among boys’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Jose most popular?
Jose was most popular in 2002, when about 12,868 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Jose?
Common nicknames for Jose include Pepe, Pepito.