Josephine Lightner

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Josephine Lightner — God will add
274K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Josephine Lightner is a name that combines Hebrew origins. The first name Josephine is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. Josephine is a female name. It is the English version of the French name Joséphine, itself a female variant of the name Joseph , which is ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yosef (Hebrew: יוֹסֵף), meaning "he shall add/grow". Originally a diminutive form of the French name Josèphe, Joséphine became the standard form in the 19th century, replacing Josèphe, which eventually became a very rare name. In 2017, Josephine was the 107th most popular girls' baby name in the US. Diminutive forms of this name include Fifi, Jo, Josie, Joetta and Jojo. The surname Lightner: A. M. Lightner, a pen name of Alice Lightner Hopf (1904–1988), American writer Calvin E. Lightner (1878–1960), American architect, building contractor and mortician Candy Lightner (born 1946), organizer and founding president of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Clarence Lightner (1921–2002), first popularly elected mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina, and first African-American elected mayor of a Southern city of over 50,000 residents Gwendolyn Rosetta Capps Lightner (1925–1999), American gospel pianist, arranger, and choir director Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner (1818–1913), Mormon pioneer Matthew. Josephine is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 274K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Josephine reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Josephine

Meaning: God will add

Hebrew

Josephine is a female name. It is the English version of the French name Joséphine, itself a female variant of the name Joseph , which is ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yosef (Hebrew: יוֹסֵף), meaning "he shall add/grow". Originally a diminutive form of the French name Josèphe, Joséphine became the standard form in the 19th century, replacing Josèphe, which eventually became a very rare name. In 2017, Josephine was the 107th most popular girls' baby name in the US. Diminutive forms of this name include Fifi, Jo, Josie, Joetta and Jojo.

Surname: Lightner

English

A. M. Lightner, a pen name of Alice Lightner Hopf (1904–1988), American writer Calvin E. Lightner (1878–1960), American architect, building contractor and mortician Candy Lightner (born 1946), organizer and founding president of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Clarence Lightner (1921–2002), first popularly elected mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina, and first African-American elected mayor of a Southern city of over 50,000 residents Gwendolyn Rosetta Capps Lightner (1925–1999), American gospel pianist, arranger, and choir director Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner (1818–1913), Mormon pioneer Matthew.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Josephine is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Josephine by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Josephine Lightner

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Josephine Lightner:

5
Expression Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

3
Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

11
Personality Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Josephine?
The first name Josephine originates from Hebrew. Josephine is a female name. It is the English version of the French name Joséphine, itself a female variant of the name Joseph , which is ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yosef (Hebrew: יוֹסֵף), meaning "he shall add/grow". Originally a diminutive form of the French name Josèphe, Joséphine became the standard form in the 19th century, replacing Josèphe, which eventually became a very rare name. In 2017, Josephine was the 107th most popular girls' baby name in the US. Diminutive forms of this name include Fifi, Jo, Josie, Joetta and Jojo.
When was Josephine most popular?
The name Josephine reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Lightner?
The surname Lightner originates from English. A. M. Lightner, a pen name of Alice Lightner Hopf (1904–1988), American writer Calvin E. Lightner (1878–1960), American architect, building contractor and mortician Candy Lightner (born 1946), organizer and founding president of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Clarence Lightner (1921–2002), first popularly elected mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina, and first African-American elected mayor of a Southern city of over 50,000 residents Gwendolyn Rosetta Capps Lightner (1925–1999), American gospel pianist, arranger, and choir director Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner (1818–1913), Mormon pioneer Matthew.
What are the origins of the name Josephine Lightner?
The name Josephine Lightner combines two different traditions: the first name Josephine has Hebrew roots, while the surname Lightner originates from English.
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