Josie began as a pet form of Josephine, the feminine of Joseph, and shares its Hebrew meaning "he will add" or "God will increase". Today it is given as an independent name far more often than as a nickname. In the United States Josie has risen without a break from number 328 in 2000 to the top 100 in 2024 and stands at number 82 in 2025, its highest position ever.