Find out how popular the first name Josu has been for the last 1 years (from 2017 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Josu by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Josu is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Josu.

The history of the first name Josu

The name Josu has its origins in the Basque language, spoken in the Basque Country, a region straddling parts of northern Spain and southwestern France. The name is derived from the Basque word "jotsu," which means "humble" or "modest." It is believed to have been in use as a given name since at least the Middle Ages.

Josu is a variant of the Spanish name José, which in turn is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef or Joseph. The biblical figure Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel, was a prominent figure in the Old Testament and the Quran. His story is recounted in the Book of Genesis and the Quran's Surah Yusuf.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Josu dates back to the 12th century, when a Basque nobleman named Josu Ruiz de Garibay was mentioned in historical records. In the 16th century, Josu Jiménez de Quesada, a Spanish explorer and conquistador, founded the city of Bogotá in present-day Colombia.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Josu. For instance, Josu Ternera (1927-1987) was a prominent leader of the Basque separatist group ETA. Josu Urrutia (1928-2003) was a Basque writer and poet, known for his contributions to Basque literature.

Another prominent figure was Josu Muguruza (1932-2020), a Basque politician and activist who served as the first Lehendakari (President) of the Basque Autonomous Community from 1980 to 1985. Josu Jon Imaz (1963-2022) was a renowned Basque chef and restaurateur, known for promoting Basque cuisine globally.

Josu Currais (born 1974) is a Spanish actor and director, who has appeared in numerous films and television shows. Josu Uribe (born 1986) is a professional Spanish footballer who has played for several clubs, including Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Josu was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Josu, please contact us.

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