Meaning & History
Jožica is a Slovene and Croatian feminine form of Joseph. The name is derived from the masculine Jožef (Slovene) and Josip (Croatian), both equivalents of Joseph, and is formed by adding the diminutive suffix -ica, which in South Slavic languages often creates affectionate or hypocoristic feminine forms.
Etymology
The root name Joseph comes from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning "he will add" or "may Yahweh add," from the verb yasaf (to add, to increase). In the Old Testament, Joseph is the eleventh son of Jacob and Rachel, known for his prophetic dreams and his rise to power in Egypt. In the New Testament, Saint Joseph is the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. The name gained particular popularity in Catholic regions after the late Middle Ages, when the cult of Saint Joseph grew.
Usage and Variants
Jožica is primarily used in Slovenia and Croatia. It is a common given name, especially among older generations, and occasionally appears as a surname. Variants include the Slovene diminutive Pepca, another affectionate form of Joseph. In other languages, equivalents include Hungarian Jozefa, French Josèphe or Joséphine, Catalan Josepa, and German Josepha. The masculine counterparts for Jožica are Jožef (Slovene) and Josip (Croatian).
- Meaning: "He will add"
- Origin: Hebrew (via Slovene and Croatian)
- Type: Feminine given name
- Usage regions: Slovenia, Croatia
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Jožica