The name Jose is derived from the ancient Hebrew name Yosef, which means "he will add" or "he will increase." It is a masculine given name that has its origins in the biblical figure Joseph, the favored son of Jacob whose story is told in the Book of Genesis.

Jose first appeared in the Spanish and Portuguese languages as a result of the Spanish and Portuguese translations of the Bible, where the name Joseph was rendered as Jose. The name gained widespread popularity in Spain and Portugal during the Middle Ages, particularly after the widespread veneration of Saint Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jose can be found in the 12th century, when a Spanish nobleman named Jose de Bleda was mentioned in a legal document from the Kingdom of Aragon. In the 13th century, Jose de Ferrer, a Catalan philosopher and theologian, gained recognition for his scholarly works.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Jose. These include Jose Rizal (1861-1896), a Filipino nationalist and polymath who was executed by Spanish colonial authorities for his political activism; Jose Marti (1853-1895), a Cuban poet and revolutionary who played a significant role in the fight for Cuban independence; and Jose de San Martin (1778-1850), an Argentine general who led the fight for independence from Spanish rule in Argentina, Chile, and Peru.

Other famous individuals named Jose include Jose Clemente Orozco (1883-1949), a renowned Mexican muralist and painter; Jose Raul Capablanca (1888-1942), a Cuban chess player widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time; and Jose Canseco (born 1964), a former American professional baseball player and author.

The name Jose has also been borne by several saints and religious figures, such as Saint Jose de Anchieta (1534-1597), a Spanish Jesuit missionary who worked in Brazil, and Saint Jose Maria Escriva (1902-1975), the founder of Opus Dei, a Catholic organization.