Pepe is a Spanish diminutive of José, which itself is the Spanish form of Joseph, a Hebrew name meaning "may God add (another son)." While Pepe is commonly associated with José, in Portuguese and Brazilian usage it also serves as a nickname for Pedro (the equivalent of Peter). The name likely originated as a playful shortening, with reduplicated sounds typical of affectionate nicknames in Romance languages. Etymology The etymological origin of Pepe lies in the Hebrew name Yosef, from the verb yasaf, "to add" or "to increase." Through Latin Iosephus and Spanish José, the diminutive form Pepe emerged as a casual, familiar version. Similar contractions include Joselito and Pepito, both also pet forms of José. Notable Bearers Several prominent individuals share this name, often as a nickname. Among them are: Pepe (José Macia) (born 1935), a Brazilian footballer who played as a forward and is a World Cup legend. Pepe (Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira) (born 1983), a Brazilian-born Portuguese footballer, widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation. Pepe (Marcos Paulo Aguiar de Jesus) (born October 1983), another Brazilian footballer. José “El Pepe” Mujica (1935–2025), a former Uruguayan president known for his humble lifestyle and progressive policies. Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo Sosa (born 1947), a Honduran politician who served as President of Honduras. Cultural Significance In Spanish-speaking cultures, Pepe is a widely recognized endearing term for any man named José, and it carries warm connotations of familiarity and approachability. The name has also crossed over into global pop culture, most notably via the internet meme "Pepe the Frog" – though this character, appearing in comic strips by Matt Furie from 2005 onward, technically bears no connection to the human name beyond the identical sound. Related Names and Variants Other diminutives of José include Joselito and Pepito. The feminine counterpart is Josefa. In other languages, related forms of Joseph range from Jozef (Slovak) to Yousef (Persian) and Youssef (Arabic). Meaning: Diminutive of José (Joseph), meaning "may God add" Origin: Spanish, Portuguese Type: Pet form, nickname Usage regions: Spain, Portugal, Latin America, Brazil